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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, the King County Council passed our 2023-24 biennial budget. This budget allocates the funding that supports County programs and services over the next two years.

I’m pleased to report that this budget maintains King County’s cash reserves and maximizes our rainy day fund. By putting aside these emergency dollars, we have a healthy financial cushion in place to safeguard against the possibility of an economic downturn in the years ahead.

I’m also proud that this budget puts much-needed funding into public safety and substance use disorder recovery—two big priorities of mine.   

Critical investments into substance use disorder recovery that I advocated for in this budget include:

• $50,000 to support King County’s Conference on Substance Use Disorders, which I have been running for the past two years
• $500,000 to support continued communication campaigns to combat substance use disorder, including the Laced and Lethal public awareness campaign
• $150,000 to extend King County’s substance use disorder anti-stigmatization campaign, which I worked for in a 2021 COVID-19 supplemental budget
• $5 million to help retain social workers in the mental health and addiction field

In addition, nearly $30 million for the Sheriff’s Office will fund important law enforcement initiatives including:

• $616,000 to add Major Crimes detectives to provide relief to the current staff given the high number of homicides, robberies, kidnappings, and felony assault cases
• $1.2 million to provide training to deputies on infrequently used skills needed during high-risk encounters
• $124,000 to restore the Marine Rescue Dive Unit
• $1.7 million to create a Gun Violence Special Emphasis Team focused on preventing gun violence in high-risk communities

As we close out our biennial budget season, I want to say thank you to all of you who took the time to offer your comments and insights. Your engagement in the budget process helps me advocate for funding for the County services that are most important to you.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

A map of Stampede Pass

Study will examine potential of increasing goods transport across Stampede Pass

King County's newly-approved budget included an amendment I sponsored that provides funding to examine the feasibility of increasing rail capacity through Stampede Pass. The study, to be performed by Washington State University, will look at the costs and benefits of modifying railway tunnels to accommodate the double stacking of rail cars.

There is an exciting opportunity before us to potentially improve rail transport across Stampede Pass. This project seems to hold promising benefits for local trade, traffic congestion, and our environment, and is worth a closer look and serious consideration.

Read more.

• Renton Holiday Bazaar - Friday, November 18, 10 AM - 6 PM & Saturday, November 19, 9 AM - 5 PM at the Renton Community Center
  Kick off your holiday shopping with local vendors!
• Enumclaw Harvest Market – Saturday, November 19, 10 AM - 2 PM in downtown Enumclaw
  Visit the big white tent at Cole St. and Myrtle Ave. for fresh produce, artisan goods, and more!
• Snowflake Lane - Nightly, November 25 - December 23 at 7 PM in downtown Bellevue
  Experience the wonder of falling snow, dazzling lights, festive music, toy drummers, and dancers in this complimentary nightly parade of holiday floats.  Gather on the sidewalks between Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square from NE 4th to NE 8th Streets. Free parking available in nearby garages.
• Renton Holiday Market - Saturday, November 26, 12 - 4 PM at Piazza Park on S 3rd & Logan
  Shop for fresh produce, artisan foods, and locally crafted gifts!
• Maple Valley Hometown Holidays - Thursday, December 1, 6 PM - 8 PM at 4 Corners
  Tree lighting, holiday music, live reindeer, photo opportunities, community vendors, and more! 

• The 2022 Jerry Woods Holiday Engine - Starting December 2 in Maple Valley, Kent, and Covington
  Santa will be visiting neighborhoods this year in the Maple Valley, Kent, and Covington areas to collect food and donations for the Maple Valley Food Bank. Check the routes page to determine if your neighborhood is on the list of those to be visited, and if so, when.
  

• Covington Community Tree Lighting - Saturday, December 3, 4 PM - 6 PM in the Fred Meyer Parking Lot across from Don Henning roundabout Come enjoy caroling, crafts, cookie decorating, Santa photos, and even an appearance from our friends from Arendelle, Anna and Elsa!

If you would like to have your event featured in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Jon Cantalini at jon.cantalini@kingcounty.gov.

BSK Child Care Subsidy Program

Best Starts for Kids (BSK) is a King County voter-approved initiative to support every baby born or child raised in King County to reach adulthood happy, healthy, safe and thriving. Starting in 2022, these investments include $20 million per year for a new child care subsidy program.

Families who are interested in the subsidy can fill out a five-minute eligibility form to see if they may qualify for help paying for child care. This is the first step in the application process.

Find more information at the Best Starts for Kids website.

Alan M. Painter Grant Program

King County’s Alan M. Painter Grant Program funds community projects that allow unincorporated area residents to participate in, and be more connected to, their communities and King County. Applications are due December 2, 2022.

Find more information at the Department of Local Services website.

School-Based Health Centers Enhancement Grants

Public Health—Seattle & King County is requesting applications from healthcare service providers and school/community partners to implement enhancements to school-based health center services in King County. Applications are due Monday, November 21, 2022 at 2PM.

Find more information at the Best Starts for Kids blog. 

Help Me Grow King County Grants

The Help Me Grow King County strategy is  designed to support families and their children by connecting them to what they need, when and how they need it.

This RFP is seeking to partner with groups and organizations:

• that are rooted in the communities they serve;
• that share culture and language with the families and communities they serve;
• that hold strong relationships with the families and communities they serve; and
• that implement family and community informed programs providing pregnant women and people, parents and caregivers warm connections to services.

Applications are due Thursday, December 15 at 2 PM.

Find more information at the Best Starts for Kids blog.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Services Available for Nonprofits 

King County and our partners can provide technical assistance and capacity building to community-based organizations and nonprofits receiving federal COVID-19 funding.

Find more information at King County's Department of Equity and Social Justice website.

King County Child Care Financial Assistance Program

Eligible families may receive financial assistance to pay for their child care at eligible providers.

Find more information at the Child Care Resources website. 

In the News

• Renton Reporter: King County’s 2023-24 budget includes funding for substance use disorder treatment
• Enumclaw Courier-Herald: Enumclaw organizations receive thousands in grants
• Gee and Ursula: King County Councilmember pushes proposal to fight addiction