My team and I are gearing up for a busy couple of months now that budget season has commenced, schools are back in session, and election season is upon us! 

Over the next few months, Council enters ‘budget stand down’ during which only a few committees will meet while all others pause. This allows my colleagues and I to focus our energy on reviewing the proposed 2025 Annual Budget. I will be listening to constituents, working to deliver on the critical services needed in District 4 and throughout our county, and ensuring our region is set up for success in the coming calendar year. 

Read on to learn more about what my office and the Council as a whole have accomplished in the month of September, opportunities to have your voice heard in the budget process, and more! 

With gratitude, 

I will serve as a member of all three budget panels, through which I’ll receive an overview of the entire proposed 2025 budget. Areas in which I expect to be deeply involved in are addressing homelessness in our region, public safety, and the proposed Public Hospital tax that would generate revenue to support operations and capital needs at Harborview Medical Center and public health clinics.  

While Council is just starting our process, the Executive has long shared concerns about the county’s budget, particularly in the General Fund. These challenges are rooted in a structural deficit. King County has managed this deficit in a manner that minimized impact over many years, but recent events have exacerbated the impact of this gap. The structural deficit has roots as far back as the passage of Initiative 695 in 1999, which eliminated funds derived from the state motor vehicle excise tax. At the time, King County used a portion of those funds as a dedicated source of support for public health and other county services.  

However, the combination of inflation, the pandemic, state imposed restrictions that limit the county to only two regressive primary strategies to raise revenue (property and sales taxes), and state requirements that, up until a law change in the 2024 Legislative session, applied solely to King County that prohibited new revenues from being used to support existing programs (referred to as “non-supplantation”), has severely challenged King County’s ability to manage this structural deficit. Combined with the fact that nearly three-quarters of the county General Fund is dedicated to state-mandated services – including the Courts, law enforcement, prosecution and defense, and detention services – we are facing a difficult budget ahead.

I’m thrilled to invite eligible non-profits and local governments to apply for one-time grant funding from King County to be included in the 2025 Annual Budget.  

This summer, I had the opportunity to award funding to organizations across District 4 to increase food security, expand opportunities for youth sports, support the arts and artists, and foster social connections that enhance mental and physical health. I’m looking forward to learning about and supporting a new group of grant recipients in the 2025 budget. 

Grant funds can be used to support a range of activities including new or existing projects and programs. Organizations based in or serving residents of District 4 are invited to complete and submit this Expression of Interest for King County District 4 Grant Awards to be considered for grant funding. To receive priority consideration for funding, please submit an expression of interest by Sunday, September 29th at 11:59 pm. Applications may still be submitted after that date but will only be considered to the extent that funding remains available.

 We Want to Hear How the King County Behavioral Health System Can Better Serve Your Community

This fall, the King County Department of Community & Human Services is hosting in-person listening sessions at locations across all nine King County council districts. Light snacks will be served, and gift cards will be provided as compensation to those who attend. 

 Growing our Vibrant Cultural Community  

While the framework for the program was established in the legislation that created Doors Open (Ordinance 19710) and state law (RCW 36.160 Cultural Organizations), decisions that guide elements such as outreach and engagement, program area strategies, and metrics to assess impact will be considered in the Implementation Plan.  

The deliberation schedule for the Doors Open Implementation Plan extends into late November. Due to the nature of this policy, it will proceed through multiple committees – the County Council’s Committee of the Whole and the Regional Policy Committee – before arriving at the full Council for a final vote. A briefing is scheduled in the Regional Policy Committee on Monday, September 30 at 9 am, which you can view on KCTV or the King County Council website.

Reminder: King County Regional Homelessness Authority Interlocal Agreement Briefing and Discussions Coming up! 

Keep up to date with the process to revise the King County Regional Homelessness Authority Interlocal Agreement (ILA) as both the City of Seattle and King County Councils deliberate this fall. Since the ILA is an agreement between both Seattle and King County, the final form of the legislation passed by both Councils must agree.  

Below is the schedule for upcoming King County Council briefings and discussions. 

Celebrating Diversity in Our Community!  

September 15th marked the beginning of Latino/a/e Heritage Month. Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and I will be presenting a proclamation early in October at the full council meeting. However, I wanted to be sure to spotlight it in this month’s newsletter, especially as this year the council welcomed the first Latine Councilmembers, Teresa and I.  

 $5 Million in King County Parks Grants 

This month, the King County Council and Executive Constantine announced that a variety of projects throughout King County will receive a combined $5 million in King County Parks grant funding. This funding will allow for more people to connect with the outdoors, friends, and fellow community members. I am delighted to have been able to support these projects which not only encourage physical activity and human connection, but also recognize the importance of reducing disparity in access for underserved youth.  

Three Years in the Making: The West Point Treatment Plant is Fully Charged and Running!

Earlier this year, I joined King County Executive Dow Constantine for a tour to view construction of the power quality improvement project (PQIP) at the West Point Treatment Plant. This month, I and other elected officials returned to celebrate the completion of this project – a first-of-its-kind capital project which will provide the plant with reliable onsite power to efficiently operate the Puget Sound’s largest treatment facility. This is vital to our ability to better prepare for future climate impacts. 

This is coming right in time for rainy season. I am honored to see this project come to life, and for these funds to be invested in protecting our communities and our region’s natural resources.  

Join an Important Discussion on Stormwater Management in Affordable Housing!  

With support from the King County WaterWorks Program, the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts are hosting a focus group for affordable housing owners, operators, and managers. Enjoy a complimentary lunch and receive a free ticket to tour Seattle Housing Authority’s Willis House, showcasing stormwater infrastructure in action. Don't miss this chance to be part of a crucial conversation on October 10th at 11 AM – 1 PM at the University of Washington, Architecture Hall Room 250. 

GAO Committee Goes to the King County International Airport

One of the things I enjoy most about this role is learning about the range of work that happens around King County. I was grateful to receive an invitation from my colleague and chair of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee (GAO), Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, to join the committee for a meeting at the King County International Airport (KCIA), often referred to as Boeing Field.  

This gathering was an opportunity to learn about the wide range of activities happening at KCIA, King County’s best kept secret that everyone should know about. Owned and operated by King County, it is a hub for many of the businesses that carry forward our region’s connection to the aviation industry. From private flight lessons to employment and workforce development and aircraft repair, for small businesses all the way up to Boeing and the Museum of Flight, KCIA is an essential part of this local industry.  

One of the most exciting parts was hearing about careers opportunities for residents, including students interested in exploring what it would mean to work in aviation. Hear more about these opportunities by watching the GAO meeting here.   

 Connecting with Meals Partnership Coalition  

Food is essential. With so many people in our region facing food insecurity, I appreciate the leadership of organizations like Meals Partnership Coalition, OSL Serves, Aurora Commons, Greenwood Senior Center, Sound Generations, Immanuel Community Services, and Lifelong to address this need.  I was pleased to recently meet with staff from these providers, which serve millions of meals to King County residents who may not otherwise have access to nutritious, delicious foods. I am committed to continuing to look for ways that the County can address food insecurity and support the critical work that these organizations are doing.  

Link Light Rail Has Expanded to Lynnwood!  

I was thrilled to join colleagues and community members for the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension! With these four new stations, Link Light Rail connects Lynnwood City Center to downtown Seattle, all the way south to SeaTac.  

As our mass transit capacity grows, our transit agencies are hard at work making sure that the connections to light rail are accessible. The Lynnwood Link opening coincided with King County Metro’s Fall Service Change, which adjusted and revised routes across the region to more seamlessly integrate with new light rail stations, reduce duplicate service, and match transit service to ridership data. That service change took effect on September 14th and impacted several routes in District 4. Revising service and redeploying resources can be a challenge, which is why Metro has been working diligently to inform riders of these changes. If you have questions about whether your route was affected, you can see the route revisions here. 

Gage Academy of Art is Now in District 4!

I had the pleasure of stopping by Gage Academy at their new homebase in South Lake Union earlier this month. Having resided in Capitol Hill for many years, they made the move to District 4 where they will continue to nurture, enrich and share the importance of arts education for everyone in our community.  

I appreciated meeting Executive Director, Katheen Allen, as well as running into many local leaders at this wonderful event. 

Welcome Gage Academy and thank you for elevating the vitality of arts to residents in King County, especially our youth!  

Interested in Elections and Serving Your Community? 

The King County Citizens’ Election Oversight Committee (CEOC) is currently inviting interested applicants to fill three openings. The CEOC is a 16-member committee of volunteers who have interest or expertise in elections. They produce an annual report to the King County Council on their observations, findings, and recommendations on election-related matters. Currently, the CEOC has the following open positions: 

• One representative who has experience in technology. The term of this position is for the remainder of a three-year term, to expire July 2027. The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years.
• One representative from the Vietnamese-speaking community. The term of this position is for the remainder of a three-year term, to expire December 2026. The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years.
• One representative from a nonpartisan organization in King County that promotes equality and the advancement of Black or African Americans, such as the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. The term of this position ends in September 2025.  The Council may appoint the successful candidate to complete the current term as well as serve for an additional term of three years. 

Applications for these positions are due by October 11, 2024.