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Thank you for continuing to stay in touch with the work my team and I are doing to represent you, our constituents, and the county at large. I invite you to keep in touch via the social platform of your choice whether that is Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for more real-time updates on resources, opportunities, and our work!
Earlier this month, my team and I held our first retreat at KEXP to discuss the vision and values that will guide our work this year. In addition to providing people a way to connect with each other through broadcast, in-person events, and online, KEXP provides a much-needed resource to non-profit organizations by offering a meeting space for small gatherings such as our retreat. Thank you to the wonderful staff for having us and offering this space to those visiting and living in the district. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood, you will not regret it!
This month we celebrate Black History Month and Lunar New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. As I settle into this position, I strive to be guided by the principles of engagement, collaboration, racial justice, and outreach, and to value decision-making that prioritizes the long-term health of our county.
Please feel free to reach out to me and my team if we can be of assistance at jorge.baron@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1004.
With gratitude,
 Jorge
Tour of the Seattle King County Clinic – Serving Those in our Community with Limited Access to Healthcare
I was thrilled to visit the Seattle/King County Clinic with the clinic’s founder, Julia Colson, and partners from around our region, alongside my colleague Jessie. The clinic provides essential services free of charge, including primary care, behavioral health, vision, dental services, and of course emotional support dogs! Thanks to 3,000 volunteers, the clinic served 2,900 un-insured and under-insured community members this year. I was thrilled to see that care is offered in fifty languages, ensuring that everyone can communicate with providers in the language of their choice.
I am so proud that the clinic, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining and expanding access to health care to those in and outside of King County, is held in District 4 at Seattle Center. At the same time, the clinic serves as a reminder of the work we must continue to do to ensure every member of our community has access to consistent and comprehensive health care.
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I am pictured here with Seattle City Councilmember Tanya Woo, Founder and Project Executive of SKCC Julia Colson, and SKCC Dental Director Jeff Parrish.
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Looking over the service area where patients receive care from oral health care providers.
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Power Quality Improvement Project Tour with King County Executive Dow Constantine
Earlier this month, I joined King County Executive Dow Constantine for a tour of the power quality improvement project (PQIP) at West Point Treatment Plant. This project, which aims to eliminate emergency bypasses of wastewater caused by power disruptions, is the largest of its kind in a major metropolitan region. The completion of this project will provide operators with the reliable onsite power they need to protect Puget Sound as the region experiences more severe weather events due to climate change.
I’m excited to see that this project, initially authorized by the council in February of 2021, is coming to fruition while keeping both our neighborhoods and sustainability at the forefront. To learn more about the project, get updates and more, visit this link.
From left to right: Bruce Kessler, Deputy Division Director of the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD); Dow Constantine, King County Executive; myself; Marissa Aho, Director of the King County Executive Climate Office; and Kamuron Gurol, Director of WTD.
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Constantine, myself, and Kamuron Gurol
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Touring the power quality improvement project.
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Rapid J Line – In Final Design, Up Next: Construction
From left to right: Executive Dow Constantine, Senator Patty Murray, Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez, SDOT Director Greg Spotts, Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera and myself.
In late January, the Seattle Department of Transportation hosted an event to celebrate the award of new federal funding for the Rapid Ride J Line project. This project will enhance bus speed, access, and reliability, while upgrading Metro Bus Route 70. Thank you to the federal, county, and city partners whose collaboration makes this project possible.
View the project map Project updates
Source: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/transit-program/transit-plus-multimodal-corridor-program/rapidride-roosevelt
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Meeting Behavioral Health Needs Through the Crisis Care Centers Levy
Source: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dchs/human-social-services/community-funded-initiatives/crisis-care-centers-levy
Last year, voters approved the transformational Crisis Care Centers Levy, which will build and fund operation of five new behavioral health centers across the county, significantly increase the number of residential treatment beds, and grow the behavioral health workforce. This is critically important, as King County has steadily lost both treatment bed capacity and providers over the past few years.
All of that hard work has come together in the Crisis Care Levy Implementation Plan, which lays out the proposed timeline, budget, and structure of the initiative. The proposed plan was transmitted to Council on December 29, 2023, and is currently under consideration of the Regional Policy Committee.
There are several upcoming opportunities for the public to provide comment on the plan, and you may also provide written comment via email any time. More detail on how to provide public comment is available at the sites linked below:
King County Elections Increases Access for Russian and Somali Speakers
King County Elections has added Russian and Somali to the suite of full-service languages in the past year. Voters can now get their ballots, voters’ pamphlets, all correspondence, voter education, and customer service in Russian and Somali, joining Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese as provided languages. All registered voters can sign up to receive their materials in their preferred language by filling out this online form, calling King County Elections at 206-296-8683, or sending an email to elections@kingcounty.gov.
What is New with Property Taxes?
Property tax assessments were mailed to property owners beginning February 15. If you’ve ever wondered where your tax dollars go, you can look up your property information using the Taxpayer Transparency Tool provided by the King County Assessor. Here you can see how your property taxes are distributed to support local services provided by King County, the City of Seattle, schools, Sound Transit, hospital, fire, emergency management services, and others. If you haven’t received a statement by March 1st, you can email PropertyTax.CustomerService@kingcounty.gov, call 206-263-2890, or find additional information online.
King County offers a deferral or exemption from property tax payments for eligible residents, including seniors, persons retired due to disability, and people with limited income. Relief may also be available for flood and storm damaged property and through current use programs. To learn if you are eligible, please see the King County Assessor’s website.
King County Council 2024 Comprehensive Plan
The council is currently reviewing the 2024 comprehensive plan in order to comply with the goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act. The plan also allows the County to make policy adjustments that address changes in the community's growth and long-term needs. For additional information on this important process, visit this website.
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Interested in Elections and Serving Your Community?
Check-out this opportunity to serve on the King County Citizens’ Election Oversight Committee (CEOC). Applications are due by March 4, 2024.
Paid Internships with King County Parks and Wastewater Treatment Division
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is offering paid teen and college internships and spring career events. For information reach out to kristin.covey@kingcounty.gov, 206-263-8856 or visit this website.
The King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a paid summer internship program for teens interested in being outdoors, parks and the environment. For more information reach out to ycc@kingcounty.gov or visit this website.
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King County Parks Grant is Now Open
King County Parks has two available funding opportunities that will close on March 4 at 8 PM PST. For more information and resources on how to apply please visit the King County Parks’ website or call 206-848-0699 or email ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov.
VSHSL Veteran Outreach and Resource Programs Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) released the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Veteran Outreach and Resource Programs with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). Applications are due March 20, 2024, by 2:00pm PST. Questions? Contact Evan Brennan, Veteran Initiatives Manager, at ebrennan@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-850
4Culture Public Free Access Grants Available
4Culture is currently accepting applications for the Public Free Access program, which aims to support efforts to provide free and reduced cost admission for cultural experiences.
For more information, including to access application materials in Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese, please see 4Culture’s Public Free Access program website.
Please contact Bart J. Cannon with any questions: bart.j.cannon@4culture.org or 206-263-1584.
A workshop to learn more about the process is being held online, March 4th noon – 1 PM.
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