September 2022: It's King County Budget Season!
Dear Friend,
Fall is here, and we’ve gotten so much done, but it still seems like just yesterday that I joined the Council and we began working hard together for our communities! It's been a busy year of working hard on many fronts, including:
- Protecting our water, forests, open spaces, salmon and wildlife habitat
- Advancing transit options that work for every family
- Creating access to housing at all income levels
- Providing targeted grants and outreach to small businesses and nonprofits
- Taking innovative steps to meet our public safety and behavioral health needs
- Working to thoughtfully expand access and equity across our region
Now it's time for Council to focus on the Biennial Budget, establishing the Council’s 2023-2024 operating costs and fiscal spending priorities. This also sets policy for county government and oversees the delivery of services you need and expect. To learn more, click here to watch a video that explains the King County budget.
Your participation matters - thank you for staying engaged and raising questions!
All the best,
Take the District 3 Community Survey!
Our District 3 team has been working hard all year on what you elected me to do -- represent your priorities and the collective priorities for all D3 residents!
To that end, please share your priorities in this District 3 Community Engagement survey on the environment, public safety, housing, behavioral health, economic development and more!
A paper copy will also be arriving in your mailbox shortly, which you can return through your mailbox - postage free! Please email sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov with any questions as well. And, to make sure your voice is included, please return your survey (by whatever method) by October 15th!
King County Biennium (2023-2024) Budget is Here!
The King County Councilmembers are excited to begin a robust discussion about the proposed budget and compelling programs and initiatives shared by Executive Dow Constantine last week, including the areas of:
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Environment: There are several environmental areas of focus in the budget, including acting urgently on climate change, improving water quality and habitat, preserving land for open space, recreation, forest and agricultural uses, and investing in frontline communities.
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Public Safety: There is an aim to deploy a coordinated public safety network to reduce crime, gun violence, and behavioral health crises by tackling root causes, funding evidence-based programs that provide community-based accountability, and reducing systemic racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal legal system.
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Housing: The budget will create more affordable and supportive housing, prevent people from becoming homeless, and support the King County Regional Homelessness Authority in successful crisis response for people living outside and in shelters. Additionally there is a goal of making homes in King County greener, healthier, safer.
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Behavioral Health: A proposed new levy to fund behavioral health services and facilities will be presented to voters for their approval this spring of passed by the King County Council.
Join Three October Town Hall Events!
1. King County Budget Town Halls
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Redmond Community Center: Wednesday, October 5th at 6PM
- Kent Senior Activity Center: Wednesday, October 12th at 6PM
- King County Courthouse – Council Chambers: Wednesday, October 17th at 6PM
Be a part of the King County Budget process! King County Council is holding a series of special meetings to hear from residents about what they want to see in the 2023-2024 budget. These will be in-person only event, though they will be recorded and shared afterward. Sign up for the Redmond Town Halls at the link above and stay tuned for more details on the other two events.
2. Sammamish Town Hall: Thursday, October 13th - Sign Up Here!
Join us for an in-person Town Hall in Sammamish on Thursday, October 13th at 6:30PM at the Sammamish Library! We’ll be joined by Mayor Kali Clark, King County Sheriff’s Office and King County Environmental Expert Christie True! We’ll hear from our speakers, from CM Perry, and then have a Q & A. Space is limited, so sign up above so we have enough seats and refreshments – all kiddos, friends and family members welcome! Questions? Call/text: 206-507-9860
3. Assessments & Property Tax Town Hall: Monday, October 17th - Sign Up Here!
Have you been wondering what's going on with King County property assessments and property taxes, and what the impacts are to the King County budget? King County Tax Assessor John Arthur Wilson and King County Budget Director Dwight Dively will join our virtual Town Hall on Monday, October 17th at 6:30 PM to answer these questions and more – plan to join us with your questions! Sign up below so you are all set and we’ll send a confirmation link your way. Questions? Call/text 206-507-9860. Looking forward to seeing you soon for this important conversation together.
Out in the Community!
(Left) CM Perry meeting with local regional leaders at the Incident Command Center to tackle the Bolt Creek Fire; (Right) CM Perry at the Eastside Fire & Rescue Booth at the 53rd Annual Issaquah Salmon Days.
(Left) Attending the grand opening of Path with Art’s beautiful new ArtHome space in Queen Anne today and watching a fun musical performance; (Right) CM Perry joining the owners of Remlinger Farms and community leaders at their ribbon cutting for the new Remlinger Farms Brewery in Carnation.
Skykomish, Baring & Bolt Creek Fire
The fire, still burning, is slowly growing, creeping north and south along Beckler River Road, toward US-2. Weather conditions (warmer, dryer) over the next few days may make the fire more active; however, critical winds are not expected. Fire crews from all across District 3 and the county are staged to attack and contain, as necessary.
I'm keeping Skykomish Mayor Henry Sladek and our friends in Skykomish and Baring in mind, hearts and prayers as our Fire Chief Knisley and Skykomish Volunteer Firefighters Association, US Forest Service, WA State Department of Natural Resources, King County Emergency Management, Snohomish County Dept. of Emergency Management and more are working hard to keep everyone safe as they fight this fire. Stay up-to-date on the latest news on the fire here.
We’ve Been Hard at Work in Council!
The Council has been staying busy in our Full Council Meetings and Committees. Some of the initiatives that we have been working on are below:
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Behavioral Health Recovery Month: The King County Council proclaimed the month of September 2022 as 'Behavioral Health Recovery Month' and called upon all residents to support or participate in appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies with King County’s Recovery Month tagline, “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”
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Motion to Request Funding and Aid for Floods in Pakistan: On September 13th, I shared a motion, for which I am grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous support, requesting Executive Dow Constantine to provide aid and support to the people of Pakistan, who are suffering through the worst natural disaster our world has seen in 10 years. 100k of the 300k square miles of the country of Pakistan is under water and 50 million people are homeless, and they need our help.
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Diaper Need Awareness Week in King County: We recently proclaimed Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, 2022 as Diaper Needs Awareness Week in King County. In working with Eastside Baby Corner and Westside Baby Corner, we hope this proclamation informs everyone on the urgent need for diapers to help families all across our region.
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Motion to Support Food Banks: Last week, I co-sponsored a motion with my colleagues Councilmembers Dunn and Zahilay that tasks King County with identifying resources to help local food banks that are struggling to meet increased demand amid the compounding impacts of rising inflation, labor shortages, and historic interest rate spikes.
If you are interested in tuning in to join us for a meeting to make a comment or just listen in, click on any of the links below:
Full Council Meeting; Budget and Fiscal Management; Committee of the Whole; Government Accountability and Oversight; Employment and Administration; Labor Policy; Law, Justice, Health, and Human Services; Local Services and Land Use; Transportation, Economy, and Environment
Skykomish Town Spotlight!
Check out where the spotlight is shining on a Skykomish business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity this month! Take a look at what they bring to each of us when you get a chance – and remember to Go Local!
Sky River Coffee, which was opened by longtime Skykomish resident Monica Ainsley, opened up in 2021 in an old hotel to bridge history and community. Though the space is large enough for customers to mingle and work, the menu keeps to coffee and Italian soda, plus a handful of pastries. It's turning into a staple in the Skykomish community, so you'll want to give them a visit at 102 E Railroad Ave Skykomish, WA 98288.
Sky Artworks is an arts-oriented community center with collaboration and exhibition spaces whose mission is to promote creativity in the Upper Sky Valley. They have a beautiful space that is designed to nurture, serve, and grow the community! If you have questions or would like to get involved, you can visit them at 104 West Railroad Avenue North, Skykomish, WA 98288 or give them a call at 360-677-2600.
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The Town of Skykomish is a treasure in our community, surrounded by the most beautiful forests and mountains. Recently, they have had to deal with the Bolt Creek fire; however, under the leadership of Mayor Henry Sladek, the City Council, and the Skykomish Volunteer Firefighter's Association, they have had a great response. If you would like to support their efforts, please visit their Facebook page. Additionally, on October 25th and 26th, the town will be holding follow-up meetings to talk about what we learned from the fire, discussing what did and didn't work. The meeting on the 25th will be for the Baring area and the one on the 26th will be for Skykomish. Stay tuned for more information on these community meetings here.
Stay Connected!
Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook account and Twitter page to stay up-to-date on everything we are working on together!
Finally... a reminder that I’d love to grab a cup of coffee and talk. Just reach out to our team member Robby at Robby.paige@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003 and Robby will set us up!
 Sarah Perry
King County Council
District 3
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