What’s on the agenda for the King County Council next week and more information on springtime ballots.

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April 13, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For so many of our community members, this past weekend was a very important time for celebration, reflection, and connection with one another. I hope that you were able to find relaxation and share time with your families and loved ones over the holiday weekend.

Last week, King County Elections mailed out spring ballots to King County voters. Please do take the time to mark your ballots and help make the changes you’d like to see in King County. You can mail in your ballot without a stamp or drop it off at a local ballot box near you. Voters can still register for the first time, update their registration, or get a replacement ballot. Additionally, be sure to sign up for King County Election’s online ballot tracker for notifications on the status of your ballot to ensure that it has been received, verified, and counted. You can sign up here.

Remember that ballots must be returned before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, April 25^th!

In related news, King County voting precincts have undergone some changes. As a result of the Council’s adoption of the annual precinct boundaries revisions in February, District 4 had 33 voting precincts altered and four abolished. For more details about these changes, click here.

Finally, as many of you may know, the King County Council has begun its springtime recess which will conclude on Monday, April 17^th. Because of the recess, this week’s enews will simply be a look forward at next week’s work. I’m looking forward to being back to business next week and providing the usual e-news content to you all again.

As always, I would like to hear from you. You can call me at 206-477-1004 or reach me by email at jeanne.kohl-welles@kingcounty.gov.  

All the best and I hope you are staying safe.

Quote of the Week

“If we have the attitude that it’s going to be a great day it usually is.”

 — Catherine Pulsifier

Budget and Fiscal Management Committee

The Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday, April 17^th at 1:00 p.m. The Committee will first discuss an ordinance concerning net supplemental appropriations to both general and non-general fund agencies from various capital fund budgets. The Committee likely will also take action on an ordinance providing for a ballot measure on a levy to support veterans, servicemembers, and their families; seniors and their caregivers; and regional health and human services. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.

Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee

The Committee will meet on Tuesday, April 18^th at 9:30 a.m., where it will receive a briefing from the Downtown Recovery Panel. The Committee will also discuss and take possible action on an executive appointment and a motion concerning the transfer of retired vanpool vans to nonprofit organizations and local governments to meet the needs of low-income, seniors, young people, or people with disabilities. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.

Regional Transit Committee

The Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 19^th at 3:00 p.m., where it will receive two briefings. The first will concern Metro’s Service Recovery Plan, and the second will address Metro’s zero-emission fleet plan. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.

Board of Health

The Board of Health will meet on Thursday, April 20^th at 1:00 p.m., where it will receive two briefings. The first briefing will detail King County overdose trends and response, and the second will be a state legislative update. For more information on this meeting and how to join it, click here.

Helpful and informative links

Food Insecurity in King County Remains High: How to Help and Get Food Assistance ­­– Public Health Insider

Digging in with natural yard care this spring helps protect people and prevents pollution – Keeping King County Green

What do you want to know about K-12 student homelessness? ­– The Seattle Times

Push for more funding for services that support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault in Washington – King 5

SPD force, while justified, contributed to 2017 in-custody death, inquest jury finds – The Seattle Times

National SNAP benefit reduction squeezing local food banks – My Northwest

One camp at a time, a Seattle group is transforming its approach to homelessness ­– NPR

Veterans program shows way to reducing all homelessness ­– The Seattle Times

Keep in touch

Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.