Budget, Civic Engagement, Financial Relief, and Grant Opportunities

Your Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,  

The King County Council is back in session after a two-week recess. To kick off the work week, the Council passed a supplemental budget that funded many programs and services critical to District 9 and throughout the County. 

Here are some highlights of what this budget funds:

• $5 million in Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) funds to help and support young people with mental and behavioral health conditions, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic.
• $2,926,000 to hire four full-time King County Sheriff’s Office deputies
• $1,879,000 to hire 14 full-time prosecuting attorneys
• $327,000  to hire four full-time Roads Department staff
• $20,000 for recreation and open space opportunities in District 9’s unincorporated King County neighborhoods

To read more about the supplemental budget, you can find more information here. 

Please feel free to contact my office should you have any questions or comments at Reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov.  Have a fun weekend.

Reagan Dunn Councilmember, District 9 King County Council

Connect with the Council

Now that we’re back from recess at the King County Council, I invite you to participate at any of the council and committee meetings. Public testimony is available for those interested in providing feedback, as your voice is critical when the Council considers legislation. The council chambers are also now open. You can attend any of these meetings in person – and there will continue to be a virtual option. 

Here is the schedule for council and committee meetings (meeting days and times may change, check the website for the most updated information):

• King County Council – every Tuesday at 1pm
• Committee of the Whole – 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday  at 9am or 9:30am
• Budget and Fiscal Management – 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday at 9:30am
• Government Accountability and Oversight – 2^nd Tuesday at 9:30am
• Law, Justice, Health and Human Services –  1^st Tuesday at 9:30am
• Local Services and Land Use – 4^th Tuesday at 9:30am
• Transportation, Economy and Environment –
• Regional Policy – 2^nd Wednesday at 3pm
• Regional Transit – 3^rd Wednesday at 3pm
• Regional Water Quality – 1^st Wednesday at 3pm

You can also livestream King County TV, where all council and committee meetings will be played here.  Hope to see you at a council or committee meeting!

King County Surface Water Management Fee Discount

Unincorporated King County property owners who qualify as an income-eligible household can receive up to a 50% discount on the annual surface water management fee for their owner-occupied property. The surface water management fee funds work that safeguards public health, prevents flooding, and protects habitat.

To qualify, property owners in unincorporated King County – including places such as Skyway, White Center and other areas outside of cities – must live on their property and have a household income that is equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 15. The discount is good for two years.

To apply for this opportunity or to learn more, click here.

King County Regional Homelessness Authority South King County Town Hall

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority is hosting its South King County virtual town halls to discuss their current priorities, upcoming plans, and take questions from the community. This event will feature a variety of speakers, including KCRHA CEO Marc Dones, local leaders, service providers, business and philanthropic partners.

Please make your voice heard by attending the South King County Town Hall: August 24th from 4:30-6:00pm (Register HERE).

King County Child Care Financial Assistance Program

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

King County has allocated $7 million of its federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to support King County families with the cost of their child care. Eligible families may receive financial assistance to pay for their child care at eligible providers. 

To apply and for more details, please visit the grant website here.

4Culture's Landmark Capital Grant

Applications are due Wednesday, September 21st at 5PM. 4Culture's Landmark Capital grant supports projects focusing on the stabilization or restoration of historic building fabric, repair or replacement of essential building systems, or the restoration of historically significant landscapes. Organizations can apply for up to $30,000. For more information, please visit the grant website here.

Reagan Radar:

• Seattle Times: Homelessness along South King County’s Green River grows, attracting new attention
• Kent Reporter: King County Council approves $5 million in funding for youth mental health