Budget and Financial Management Committee Panels
This month we began our Council's role of digging through the budget starting with our Council's non-partisan Central Staff providing briefings on the budgets of different departments and issue areas for the 2025 calendar year budget. These are opportunities for us to ask questions about budget proposals for these different “units” and to evaluate how things are working, and where more investment or scrutiny is needed. Last week we received three more of these briefings and links to each one can be found below.
Budget Panel 1 – Public Transit Climate, Local Services and Infrastructure: watch recording
Budget Panel 2 – Public Safety: watch recording
Budget Panel 3 – Health, Housing and Human Services: watch recording
Proposed Budget Townhall in New Holly – October 30th
October 30th is the Council’s last townhall regarding the King County budget! Note that this meeting is sadly in-person only and not livestreamed. Recordings of previous Town Halls can be found at the following links: Oct 10th in Bellevue and Oct 24th in Kent.
Members of the public may also provide input on the county budget by emailing budget.council@kingcounty.gov. At the top of your message: please write (1) your name and (2) your complete street address. This information is recommended but not required.
What's next for the Proposed County Budget?
The budget review process began September 23rd with the transmission of the King County Executive’s proposed budget, and will wrap up in late November, when the Council is expected to approve a finalized budget. For more information, head to the webpage, Council's review of the King County budget.
Fast-tracking Childcare and Affordable Housing Projects
Read the full article by clicking on the image above.
After many calls and meetings with constituents on this topic, I'm excited to announce that we've taken an important step to expedite childcare and affordable housing projects in King County. At our October 17th Board of Health meeting, the Department of Local Services added these vital initiatives to our priority permitting list, allowing them to move forward faster and at lower costs. Access to affordable housing and childcare is essential for the healthy development of our children, economic stability for families, and the long-term resilience of our local economy. By prioritizing these projects, we can remove barriers within our permitting process and ensure that our communities get the services they desperately need. I want to thank Local Services Director Leon Richardson and our dedicated permitting staff for their hard work in making this possible. Together, we are fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
Recognizing the Contributions of Cliff McCrath
King County Council honored Cliff McCrath for his remarkable contributions to collegiate soccer and his efforts to promote the sport in Washington State. A former hockey player turned soccer coach, Cliff attended Wheaton College, where he quickly excelled, earning Honorable Mention All-American status. He went on to coach the NAIA Fighting Scots to significant success, before leading the Seattle Pacific University Falcons for 38 years, achieving 30 NCAA tournament appearances and winning five championships. Cliff has been recognized as National Coach of the Year and Seattle Sports Star of the Year, and he served as head coach for the 2017 US Women’s World University Games. With 11 Soccer Halls of Fame inductions, Cliff remains a dedicated advocate for soccer, championing initiatives like the proposed new soccer/football stadium in Washington.
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Proclamation of Pro Bono Week in King County
The Metropolitan King County Council declared October 20-26, 2024 as Pro Bono Week, highlighting the essential right to equal justice in our democratic society. With seven out of ten low-income individuals in Washington facing significant civil legal issues annually, and many struggling without legal assistance, this week aims to raise awareness of the critical need for civil legal aid. Vulnerable populations, including low-income people of color and survivors of domestic violence, are disproportionately affected by legal challenges. The Council recognizes the efforts of Washington’s Alliance for Equal Justice network and various legal organizations working to provide pro bono services, emphasizing that access to legal help can be vital for achieving stability in housing, employment, healthcare, and safety.
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Recognition of Artist, Fulgencio Lazo
Click on the image to learn more about Fulgencio Lazo
The Metropolitan King County Council honored Fulgencio Lazo for his 30 years of dedication to enriching the cultural landscape through art, particularly with his tapete (sand painting) installations for the Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration he founded. Mr. Lazo has co-founded numerous celebrations across King County, engaged local schools, and mentored emerging Latina/o/e artists, fostering community bonds and cultural heritage. His contributions have solidified his role as a cultural ambassador, inspiring many to celebrate and honor their loved ones.
2024 King County School-Based Health Centers Retreat
Cross posted from King County School Health and Best Starts for Kids
On October 9th, I had the privilege of speaking at the Annual King County School-Based Health Centers Retreat to discuss how partnerships across agencies, school districts, organizations, and with community leaders can support the well-being of young people throughout King County and highlighting how these centers play a pivotal role in improving the social determinants of health in our region. Since their inception in 1989 as a pilot program at Rainier Beach High School, school-based health centers have grown to include 36 clinics across eight school districts, serving over 9,100 students during the 2023-2024 school year. The retreat utilized the "Open Space" technique to foster discussions on critical topics, including substance use disorder treatment, LGBTQIA+ support, student-led initiatives, staff retention, and strategies for addressing gun violence, all aimed at developing innovative solutions to support student health and wellness.
Honoring West Seattle Blog's Patrick Sand
I want to take a moment to recognize the life and contributions of Patrick Sand, who is one half of the West Seattle blog team. As many of you may have heard, Patrick recently passed away. Patrick, along with his dedicated wife and reporting partner, Tracy Record, started the West Seattle Blog. Today it is not only one of the most reliable sources of information for West Seattle residents, but it is also a testament to the importance of hyper local journalism. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with my neighbors that start with “I saw on the blog...” Patrick and Tracy also went on to start WhiteCenterNow which uplifts news and events in another neighboring region of District 8.
Early on in my tenure here at the County I had the chance to sit down with Patrick and Tracy for an interview about my plans in this new office. The questions were thoughtful, fair, and got to the heart of what the community cares about – how I was going to show up for folks in the area. This is a big loss for our community, and I offer my sincere condolences to Tracy and Torin who are grieving the loss of a beloved husband and father. The West Seattle Blog and WhiteCenterNow will continue on as a lasting legacy to Patrick and I ask all of us to honor his memory by keep showing up for each other.
Preparing For King Tides on The Duwamish River
The following article was sent out as part of a mailer from the King County Flood Control District to areas in District 8 that are prone to flooding. If by chance you did not receive it or you know people in affected areas, I want to ensure everyone has the knowledge and resources they need in the event of flooding.
KCIA Airport Tenant and Community Meeting #3
Click on the image for more information.
Airport tenants and community members are invited to attend an online or in-person meeting on October 30th. These meetings are a part of the official public comment period that runs from October 9th to November 22nd. Join them to learn about key revisions made in the Final Draft of the Airport Rules and Regulation and Minimum Standards and share your comments with the project team. Meetings will be recorded and available online following the event. The presentation will be the same at both meetings.
In-person: October 30th 1–2 pm, Location: Flight Service Station, 6526 Ellis Ave. S. Bus service: Bus stop #406022, Bus #60 and #124
Online: October 30th 5–6 pm, Click here to register
To request a language interpreter or American Sign Language at the meetings, please contact KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov.
Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth Ferry Service Update
WSDOT reports they anticipate the bonus boat to return to service on Monday November 4th. If this changes, we will update you on our Facebook or Instagram pages.
Empowering Vashon: Community Training on Overdose Prevention
On September 28th, in a collaboration between Public Health and the Vashon-Maury Community Council's subcommittee, Island Navigation Network, they had their first effort in bringing awareness to the adults on Vashon-Maury Island on the prevention of overdose deaths from opioids and fentanyl. During the presentations, residents were welcomed to come talk to island organizations Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR), VARSA, the Vashon Health Care District (VHCD), and the Island Navigation Network. Attendees were able to obtain harm reduction supplies, sign up for youth mental health training, and learn about VIFR’s Mobile Integrated Health and VHCD’s urgent care provider, DispatchHealth. For more information on overdose prevention and response and upcoming trainings and events, please visit Public Health’s Overdose Prevention and Response website.
Vashon Inclusionary Housing Community Discussion
Thank you for your interest in the King County Comprehensive Plan, the set of policies that guide growth in King County over the next 20 years. At the October 8th Vashon Community Comprehensive Plan meeting (view the recording here), we provided an overview of amendments to the Comp Plan impacting Vashon, and were able to answer every question and give everyone who wanted to speak an opportunity to provide feedback. Thank you to all who joined and weighed in!
The County Council is continuing it’s consideration of the King County Comprehensive Plan major update through the beginning of December. As part of this work, Land Use Chair Perry is leading an effort to update the County’s inclusionary housing policies—the County’s on-site affordable housing incentives and mandatory requirements to enable more affordable housing in new housing development across the county. We will be hosting another community discussion for Vashon community members to learn more and provide feedback on the inclusionary policies on November 12th from
12-1:30 pm. You can sign up to join here.
You can find an overview of my Vashon Comprehensive Plan amendment work to support affordable housing and childcare, workers and small businesses, healthcare and social services, and climate resilience here.
Before finalizing the Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use Committee will hold another public hearing coming up on November 19th with both in-person and virtual options provided to give the public the opportunity to comment. The Council will consider final amendments, clarify, and enhance language, then take a final vote on the Comprehensive Plan in December. You can find more information and sign up for email updates at the County’s Comprehensive Plan website here, and see the full review schedule here.
Thank you very much for your engagement!
YWCA's Free Computer Training Classes
Check out YWCA'a Free Computer Training Classes Wednesdays and Thursdays at Greenbridge Learning Center AND Mondays and Tuesdays at Seola Gardens Technology Center open to ALL ages. Learn about Computer Basic Fundamentals, Windows, Microsoft Office Suite, etc. and earn a certificate after completing each MS application!
Request for Applications (RFA): Ryan White Part A Care Services
Applications due by 11:59 pm on October 31.
Request for Applications (RFA): Equity Response Team
Applications due by 2:00 pm on November 5.
VSHSL funding opportunity: Mental Health Counseling (HL 2)
Applications due by 2:00 pm on November 6.
Request for Applications (RFA): Infant Mortality Prevention Network Applications due by 5:00 pm on November 8.
Request for Applications (RFA): Promoting First Relationships-Agency Training Project 2025
Applications due by 5:00 pm on November 8.
Request for Applications (RFA): Workforce Development Mini Grants Applications due by 4:00 pm on November 18.
Alan M. Painter 2025 Community Engagement Grants
Community project organizers in unincorporated King County
Applications due by 5:00 pm on December 13.
 Thank you for signing up for the #TeresaTuesday Newsletter. We will send you regular updates every other week. If you’d like to reach out or have an issue we can help with, please reach out anytime.
Thank you for allowing us to represent you on the King County Council!
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