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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, I sent a letter to Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy requesting state performance and financial audits of King County-funded juvenile diversion programs.

Concerning accounts about the performance and affairs of these controversial juvenile rehabilitation programs—including accounts of staff committing acts of gun violence, embezzlement of taxpayer funds, and the complete lack of data to illustrate performance—have been covered in media outlets including The Seattle Times and KUOW. An internal review by King County of one of the programs in question, Restorative Community Pathways, failed to confront and respond to these concerns in any meaningful way, which I believe makes a third-party audit necessary. 

As a formal federal prosecutor, I know that juvenile diversion programs, if done right, are an invaluable component of our juvenile justice system. Successful diversion programs can reduce future delinquency, prevent recidivism, and help young people live out their potential by giving them the opportunity to re-route their lives. King County must offer juvenile diversion programs that are not just feel-good measures, but are putting juvenile offenders on a better path while also holding them accountable for their actions, providing for public safety, and bringing justice to victims. 

You can learn more about my audit request at KIRO7 News.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Storefront Repair Grants for unincorporated area small businesses 

A new grant program is available to small businesses in unincorporated King County that have experienced vandalism or break-ins since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

The Storefront Repair Program is intended to address vandalism and enhance security in business districts of the unincorporated areas. The program serves small businesses (10 employees or less) by providing a one-time grant up to $5,000 to repair and damage and restore storefronts of commercial buildings occupied by operating businesses. Retail, grocery, food service, and personal, professional, or medical services are eligible to apply.

Eligible expenses include:

• Repair or replacement of windows, doors, exterior lighting, signs, or awnings
• Replacement of security screens or bars, graffiti removal, security cameras, and insurance claim deductibles.

Applications will be accepted Oct. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023, subject to funding availability. For program guidelines and applications, see the Storefront Repair Grant Program webpage. 

Cedar Hills Landfill community meeting on Wednesday, October 11

Cedar Hills Regional Landfill

King County’s Solid Waste Division is hosting an in-person meeting on Wednesday, October 11 from 6:30-8:00 PM at Maywood Middle School (14490 168th Ave SE, Renton).

This meeting is an opportunity to learn and ask questions about what’s going on at the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, including current and planned construction projects, environmental monitoring activities, and operational activities. 

Dunn delivers funding for Issaquah School Foundation school supplies program

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn with Valerie Korock, Interim Executive Director of the Issaquah Schools Foundation

I was pleased to provide a $2,000 King County grant to the Issaquah Schools Foundation to help fund their Tools4School program. This program provides new backpacks and school supplies to Issaquah School District students in need. With this funding, the Issaquah Schools Foundation was able to equip 50 students with the basic supplies they need to succeed in the school year ahead!

In the News

• Seattle Weekly: King County Councilmember calls for audit of juvenile diversion programs
• KIRO7 News: King County councilmember calls for closer look at programs that keep at-risk kids out of jail
• The Renton Reporter: King County Councilmember calls for audit of juvenile diversion programs