 Dear King County District 2 Resident,
This is your friendly neighborhood King County Councilmember, Girmay Zahilay. Below are some news, updates, and events that I think you’ll find useful.
Announcements & Policy Updates
It’s Budget Season!
Last month, the King County Executive submitted a proposed $10.2 billion budget to the Council. The budget will fund King County’s essential services in 2025, including public transportation, affordable housing, and community safety initiatives.
Now, the King County Council is officially in budget season, reviewing and making crucial decisions on how to allocate county funds. Our priorities for the 2025 budget include investing in public safety, strengthening our behavioral health system, securing healthcare access for all residents, and increasing the county's affordable housing supply.
Click the image below to watch my Budget 101 video and learn more!
 I encourage you to stay informed about the budget and share your thoughts, concerns, and priorities with us in the coming month!
Opportunities to get involved:
1) Attend Budget town halls around the county.
2) Tune in to Budget meetings focused on funding priorities.
3) Provide public comment at the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meetings at the end of October and early November.
Keep reading to learn more about these opportunities!
Budget Process Schedule
As Budget Chair, it is my priority to make the budget review process accessible to everyone in our county. Throughout this process, there will be many opportunities to learn more about what is being proposed, give input on what you want to see prioritized, and make sure your voice is heard:
- Review the Executive’s proposed 2025 King County Budget Book
- Provide public comment at a budget town hall:
- Kent Senior Center, Social Hall: 600 East Smith St., Kent, 98032
- New Holly Gathering Hall: 7054 32nd Ave. South, Seattle, 98118
- Provide public comment at a Budget and Fiscal Committee meeting next week:
- Tuesday, October 29th at 9:30 AM
- Wednesday, October 30th at 9:30 AM
- Send your thoughts, questions, or concerns regarding the King County 2025 Annual Budget via email to budget.council@kingcounty.gov.
- To request language interpretation or translated materials contact Language Access Coordinator, Tera Chea at (206) 477-9259 or email Tera.chea2@kingcounty.gov
Key dates for the 2025 Budget
- Tuesday, October 29th, and Wednesday October 30th at 9:30 AM: Budget committee briefings on funding proposals on key budget topics.
- Wednesday, November 13th: Final Budget committee action on ordinances to support the 2025 budget at 9:30 AM
- Thursday, November 14th at 9:30AM: Final Budget committee action on the 2025 budget
- Tuesday, November 19th at 1:30PM: Full Council action on the 2025 budget, final passage
- Back-up date if not passed on 11/19: Tuesday, November 26th.
 My Plan For A $1 Billion Regional Workforce Housing Initiative
Last month, I held a press conference with unions and the business community, public housing agencies and private developers, to announce my bold new proposal for building thousands of new homes for our region's workers: the $1 billion Regional Workforce Housing Initiative.
 The initiative is a bold step forward in addressing the region’s housing crisis by directing King County to develop an implementation plan that utilizes at least $1 billion of our county’s excess debt capacity to partner with housing agencies and developers in creating permanently rent-restricted, multiple-unit housing for the region’s workforce. Rents for these units would be set to reflect the true cost of development and operation. The motion also prioritizes fair labor practices and King County’s high environmental standards.
To tackle the housing crisis with the urgency and scale that we need, we must use every tool in the County’s toolbox. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to craft this legislation, and I’m grateful to our broad coalition of supporters and stakeholders who helped make this possible.
If you’d like to provide public comment on the Regional Workforce Housing Initiative, you can do so at the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 29th at 9:30am. Information on how to watch the meeting and provide public comment can be found online here.
For more information, you can read my op-ed in the Urbanist here or read the full text of the legislation here.
 Crisis Care Centers RFP – Apply Now!
King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) has opened the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select behavioral health agencies to operate the first Crisis Care Centers (CCC)! This marks an important milestone in our legislation, initiating the development of a regional network of five CCCs across King County to serve as a crucial entry point for those in crisis.
Key details:
- Letters of Intent are due by Friday, October 25th, 2024, at 2 PM.
- The RFP offers up to $498 million in CCC Levy, Medicaid, and commercial funding through 2032.
- Behavioral health agencies that are "launch ready" must submit a full proposal by November 22, 2024, with contracts awarded in January.
- New site operators needing facility development have until March 21, 2025, with contracts awarded in June.
For more information or to apply, visit the grant website or email dchscontracts@kingcounty.gov.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of King County's behavioral health transformation You can read more about this work here. Apply now!
ORCA Announces Reduced Card Fares for Next Six Months
A special offer from ORCA is allowing riders to save on their daily rides for the next six months. During this time, the ORCA Day Pass for adults will be reduced from $8 to $6, and the reduced fare pass for seniors, ORCA lift customers with lower incomes, and people with disabilities will be reduced from $4 to $2. To take advantage of this deal, you will need a plastic ORCA card or a digital card, only available for Android users in Google Wallet.
King County Proclaims Latino/a/e Heritage Month
On October 1st, the Council officially proclaimed September 15 to October 15, 2024 as Latino/a/e Heritage Month in King County. This proclamation celebrates the many contributions that people of Latino/a/e heritage bring to the cultural, economic, and political life of our community and region. Join us in recognizing and honoring the vibrant and vital role of the Latino/a/e community in shaping King County! Read the proclamation here.
Skyway Halloween Party
Skyway's biggest Halloween Party is back on Saturday, October 26 from 1-5 p.m. Start at the block party across from Skyway Library for free family fun and get your official Treat Trail map. Multiple activity stations and participating storefront Treat Trail stops will be located on and around Renton Avenue South between 75th and 76th Avenue South. You can find more information from West Hill Community Association.
 2024 Rainier Beach Harvest Fest Takeover Boo Bash
Get ready for some Halloween fun at the 2024 Rainier Beach Harvest Fest Takeover Boo Bash! Join us on Sunday, October 27th, from 2-5 PM at the Rainier Beach Community Center for an afternoon filled with children’s activities, vendor booths, food trucks, entertainers, and a festive trunk-or-treat! Bring your family and friends to enjoy this spooky celebration.
REVIVAL Market Street Event this Halloween!
Celebrate Halloween with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s EcoDistrict at the Capitol Hill Station Plaza for the REVIVAL Market Street Event on October 31st from 4-9 PM! This fun-filled event will feature trick-or-treating, music by DJ Bri, family-friendly activities, and amazing BIPOC retail vendors.
Join the 2024 Young Leaders Summit
Build the Bench is partnering with Washington High School Democrats, King County Young Democrats, and Osman Salahuddin to host the 2024 Young Leaders Summit on Saturday, October 26, 2024. This dynamic event will feature keynote speakers Suzan DelBene and Pramila Jayapal, who will share their invaluable advice and experiences on building successful careers in public service.
The summit is designed for aspiring young leaders eager to make a positive impact in their communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers, engage in meaningful discussions, and gain insights from seasoned public servants.
Don’t miss out on this inspiring event! RSVP now at youngleaderssummit2024.rsvpify.com to secure your spot and take the next step in your leadership journey.
District 2 Celebrates a Nobel Prize Winner!
Congratulations to Professor David Baker, the Garfield and University of Washington communities, and all of King County! Professor Baker was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking work in computational protein design, a process that turns amino acids into proteins unlike any ever seen.
We are incredibly proud of Professor Baker and the incredible innovation coming from District 2! Read more about his work here.
Participatory Budgeting Vote
Residents and other community members in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, North Highline/White Center, and Skyway/West Hill can cast their votes this month to choose proposals for King County to fund and/or carry out in their traditionally underserved communities.
This is the county’s second round of Participatory Budgeting, a two-year, community-led process in which residents gather ideas from their neighbors, create proposals from those ideas, and hold a vote to decide which proposals to pay for with county funds. Each community vote takes place both online and in person at pop-up voting events. Get more information about how to vote in your community.
Ballots are available in English and several other languages, and multi-lingual community members will be on hand at voting events to help explain the process.
The King County Council has made available a total of $11.8 million to be divided among the urban areas. This includes revenues from the marijuana tax, which benefit White Center and Skyway—so those areas receive larger shares of the funding.
From now through Oct. 31, anyone who lives, works, owns a business, receives services, goes to school, or worships in one of these five areas is encouraged to cast their vote to choose projects to benefit their community.
More on Participatory Budgeting
In 2021, the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s proposal to try this new approach to community investment, which is centered on racial equity. It gives people who live, work, play, or worship in the county’s five urban unincorporated areas the chance to directly choose how more than $11 million is spent in their communities.
Participatory budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services.
The Community Investment Budget Committee, a group of appointed residents from King County’s urban unincorporated areas, met virtually to create the framework for the new participatory budgeting process.
Where does the money come from?
The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue.
Learn more by visiting publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice.
VOTE!!!
This month, King County Elections mailed out ballots to more than 1.4 million voters for the November 2024 General Election! If you haven’t received your ballot by now, call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683).
This election will feature 63 races, including members of Congress, State Legislators, statewide officials, judges, and the Presidential race, as well as 10 measures, including 4 statewide initiatives. King County is anticipating an 82% voter turnout, so let’s make sure we exceed that by voting early and returning ballots before Election Day, November 5th!
Find your nearest ballot drop box (open starting October 17th) at local City Halls, libraries, or other locations. You can also return your postage-free ballot by mail.
Need to register, update your registration, or get a replacement ballot? You can visit this link or in person at a satellite vote center on November 2nd, 4th, or Election Day, November 5th.
Track your ballot with King County's Ballot Tracker to receive text or email notifications when your ballot is mailed, received, and ready to be counted. Remember, ballots must be in by 8 PM on Election Day, November 5th.
Share Your Thoughts on Gun Violence
The King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention is seeking community input on gun violence. Your insights are crucial in shaping the public safety efforts of the Office, and we want to hear from you!
Take a moment to share your thoughts through an anonymous survey by scanning the QR code or using the link provided. Your input can make a real difference in our community’s approach to gun safety.
For more information, contact rgv@kingcounty.gov. Thank you for your participation!
Complete the survey here.
Share Your Input on King County’s Next Strategic Climate Action Plan!
The King County Climate Team is seeking community input to help shape the County’s next Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP), which will guide the region’s climate efforts from 2025 to 2030. The SCAP will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for climate change impacts, supporting community resilience, and creating green career pathways for King County residents.
We invite you to participate in a brief survey, which includes 8 questions and takes approximately 5-8 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. Your input is valuable in shaping the future of King County’s climate work!
Public Safety Virtual Learning Communities
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for four virtual learning communities hosted by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and the Center for Policing Equity (CPE). These learning communities are designed to support stakeholders working to establish more equitable public safety systems, each focusing on a different area of public safety:
Led by nationally recognized technical assistance providers, participants will engage in peer-to-peer learning and receive guidance from experts. Teams will also have the opportunity to address their unique challenges with support from CSG Justice Center and CPE staff. The sessions will be tailored to meet the specific needs of participants.
Applications are due October 25th and take approximately ten minutes to complete online.
DEEL Hiring K-12 Mental Health Advisor
The Department of Education & Early Learning (DEEL) is hiring a K-12 Mental Health Advisor to support Seattle’s mission of expanding youth mental health services for middle and high school students, through age 24. This role will focus on culturally specific and responsive approaches for BIPOC youth, providing a continuum of support services grounded in research. The goal is to reduce rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress while strengthening mental health protective factors.
This position is part of the K-12 and Postsecondary Division team and reports to the Strategy & Engagement Manager. The application deadline is October 29, 2024, by 4:00 PM.
To apply, visit the City of Seattle job site.
Free Trees Available at Skyway Farmers Market and Bazaar
King County is excited to announce that families have a fantastic opportunity to receive up to four free trees during the annual Harvest Festival at the Skyway Farmers Market and Bazaar! This event takes place on October 27, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and promises fun for the whole community. In addition to the free trees, attendees can enjoy free activities, delicious catered meals, and a chance to shop with local vendors.
 Recreational Trails Program Grant
The Recreational Trails Program is now accepting applications! This federal grant program provides funding to rehabilitate and maintain trails that offer a backcountry experience for a wide variety of activities, including off-road vehicle riding, bicycling, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, motorcycling, water trails, and more. Applications are due by Thursday, October 31st, 2024. There is $3.6 million in total funding available, with a maximum of $150,000 per award. Apply here!
For more information visit the grant website, or contact Beth Auerbach at Beth.Auerbach@rco.wa.gov or call 360-280-6103. Don’t miss this opportunity to support trail development and maintenance in your community!
No Child Left Inside Grant
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant program is now accepting applications. This program provides quality outdoor opportunities for underserved, underrepresented, and historically excluded youth to learn, play, and experience nature. Applications are due by Thursday, October 31st, 2024. There is $4.5 million in total funding available, with a maximum of $150,000 per award. Apply here!
For more information or to apply, visit the grant website, or contact Beth Auerbach at Beth.Auerbach@rco.wa.gov or call 360-280-6103. This is a great opportunity to support youth outdoor education and engagement in your community!
VSHSL Mental Health Counseling (HL 2) Funding Opportunity
The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Mental Health Counseling (HL 2), funded by the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). This funding aims to provide mental health services to veterans, military service members, and their families, as well as seniors and their caregivers, improving access to care and reducing wait times.
Up to $3,064,933 in VSHSL funds is available for this opportunity, with an investment period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027 (subject to change).
For more details or to apply, visit the RFP website, or contact Katie Mahoney at kmahoney@kingcounty.gov. Applications are due by November 6, 2024, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.
King County Housing Repair Programs
Skyway residents: did you know King County provides funding for housing repair services to low-income homeowners and special needs renters in most parts of King County?
King County’s Housing Repair Program provides 0% interest loans and grant assistance to qualified homeowners for repairs such as replacing your roof, installing a new septic system, repairs addressing emergency conditions, and health and safety repairs. For renters with a disability, the Housing Repair program provides funding to make your unit more accessible.
If you or someone you know is seeking housing repair services, please call Housing Repair at 206-263-9095 to learn more about the process and see if you are eligible! King County has a team of fabulous engineers who are ready to assist you!
To learn more, check out this short video.
For more information and to view program brochures in English, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese, go to http://www.kingcounty.gov/housingrepair
Would you like the Housing Repair program to give a short presentation to your community group? Please contact Clark Fulmer Clark.Fulmer@kingcounty.gov
Free Virtual Therapy for Teens & Young Adults with Joon
The City of Seattle is offering free virtual therapy for youth and young adults ages 13 to 24 through a partnership with Joon and the Seattle Human Services Department. Seattle Public Schools students and area youth can access confidential therapy sessions at no cost to them or their families, available now through the end of the year.
Young people interested in connecting with a therapist must enroll by November 15, 2024, to begin receiving 1:1 therapeutic care.
To get started, visit the Joon enrollment page here, and learn more about the partnership with the City of Seattle. This is a valuable opportunity for teens and young adults to receive support for their mental health!
#ReachOut for Free Confidential Mental Health Support – Call or Text 988
Youth and families can access immediate, confidential mental health support through the 988 Hotline. Whether you're going through a tough time or just need someone to talk to, help is only one call or text away. The 988 Hotline is available 24/7 to provide free support whenever you need it.
Save the number 988 and share it with friends—you never know when it could make a difference.
Learn more about the 988 Hotline at 988lifeline.org
King County’s Free Asthma Program
Managing your child’s asthma can be tough, but King County’s Community Health Worker Asthma Program is here to support you! This free program helps families with children ages 6 to 12 reduce asthma triggers and provides valuable education.
Trained community health workers will offer free home or virtual visits to identify asthma triggers like dust mites, pet dander, or mold, and provide personalized recommendations. You may also receive free supplies such as mattress covers, HEPA air cleaners, vacuums, and safer cleaning products to help create a healthier living environment.
Your family may also qualify for a paid research study on the impact of air filters on asthma, which could benefit your child’s health and contribute to important research.
Learn more at this link or fill out the application here!
COVID Vaccines Have Arrived in Washington!
As cold and flu season approaches, COVID-19 vaccine information has been released by the Washington State Department of Health. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a COVID-19 vaccine this year. Most people 5 years and older only need 1 dose to be up-to-date ahead of the upcoming flu season. Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax vaccines will be made available this year. There are no recommendations for one vaccine over the other at this time. However, always consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns. For additional information and resources, please visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
Go-Vax Kids: Mobile Vaccination Services
Go-Vax Kids is a publicly funded grant program that provides children with COVID, influenza, and other routine vaccinations. Through community organizations, schools, and other events, they provide vaccination events all over King County.
Please visit this website for information on the types of vaccines offered and for information on future events.
Temporary Staff for the Election
King County Elections is hiring temporary staff to help process this election and close drop boxes on Election Night. These are paid positions, with varying time commitments depending on the role. They have positions that last a few weeks and many that are just a few hours on Election Day. Our current priority is filling Vote Center positions. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible! Apply here.
Heat Pumps
King County is installing heat pumps in over 100 low- and moderate-income homes in Skyway and White Center at up to 100% cost coverage through its Energize program.
The Energize program launched earlier this year, and gives families access to efficient electric heat pumps for heating and cooling. The program covers 100% of costs for low-income households and 80% of costs for moderate-income households in Skyway and White Center.
Heat pumps are the most efficient, climate-friendly way to heat and cool a home with clean energy rather than fossil fuels. A heat pump is up to four times as efficient as a standard air conditioner or furnace, using less energy to keep a home comfortable.
For more information, please visit this link here or check out this Seattle Times article here.
Property Tax Relief for Seniors
More Washington homeowners have a chance to save on their property tax bills this year. After a recent state law change, a long-standing property tax break program for older homeowners and people with disabilities is now open to people with higher incomes, making more Washingtonians eligible. In King County, for example, the change boosted the income limit for the program by 44% this year. Homeowners making up to $84,000 can now qualify.
For more information and to check your eligibility, click here. Read the story in the Seattle Times here.
King County Repair Events
This month, King County hosted a repair event at the Skyway Library! At these events, community members volunteer to be “fixers,” who are skilled in repairing clothing, electronics, and small furniture. Walk-ins are allowed, but advance priority is given to those who sign up in advance. Only one item is allowed per person per event. This organization hosts repair events throughout King County, with the next event being on September 21st from 12-3 PM at the Capitol Hill Tool Library. For more information about which items to bring, event times and locations, and how to become a volunteer fixer, please visit the King County Repair Events Website.
Working Connections Child Care
Applications for the Working Connections Child Care Grant are accepted on a rolling basis, providing ongoing support for eligible families. WCCC offers assistance to eligible families, helping them afford childcare services. Upon qualification for subsidy benefits and selection of a provider, the state contributes a portion of the childcare costs, with parents responsible for a monthly copayment to their chosen provider. Notably, families experiencing homelessness may receive approval for up to 12 months of support to address homelessness-related challenges.
For comprehensive details and to begin your application process, click here. For questions, reach out to providerhelp@dcyf.wa.gov or call 1-800-394-4571.
Emergency and Unforeseen Funds
Secure support for unexpected facility needs with 4Culture's Emergency and Unforeseen grants. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, providing timely assistance for cultural organizations facing unforeseen challenges. These grants are designed to meet a wide variety of unexpected facility needs, offering funds for actual costs incurred to repair or renovate cultural spaces. Whether it's addressing urgent repairs, unexpected maintenance, or unforeseen renovations, these grants are here to help.
For more details and to apply, visit the grant website here. Have questions? Reach out to Dana Phelan at dana.phelan@4culture.org.
The Recovery Academy: Washington’s only Sober Public High School
The Interagency Recovery Academy is for high school students in grades 9-12 who are actively working towards their academic, career, and recovery goals. Within a student-centered environment, the program promotes the Four Dimensions of Recovery: Health, Home, Purpose, and Community. For more information, visit their website here.
All Kids Play Grant
All Kids Play provides funding to families and communities who need support to cover the costs of youth sports. Grants are available for families with kids in grades K-12 and not-for-profit community-based recreational sports organizations in low-income areas. Funding is distributed on a need and first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. Grants can be used for registration, equipment, and other associated fees for sports classes, recreational leagues, and travel sports.
For more information or to apply, visit the grant website, or contact info@allkidsplay.org. This is a valuable opportunity to help youth access sports and recreation programs!
 Horizons Foundation of Washington Grants
The Horizons Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to addressing social and environmental issues in Washington State. Grants are awarded to non-profits working in the areas of the environment, social services, and arts and culture. Grant amounts start at $1,000, with a typical cap of $5,000 for applicants in the Arts and Direct Emergency Services categories.
For more information or to apply, visit the grant website here, or contact horizonsfoundation1@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity for non-profits working to create a positive impact in Washington State!
Project 10Million – Free Internet Connectivity and Devices for Underserved Students
Project 10Million is an initiative designed to bring free Internet and mobile hotspots to millions of underserved student households, along with access to low-cost laptops and tablets. Eligible students from households participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can receive 100GB of data per year, a free mobile hotspot, and access to affordable devices—one per household.
To qualify, parents must provide proof of NSLP eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, which can include a NSLP notification letter or proof of enrollment in other government programs like SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, Medicaid, Head Start, or programs for foster youth, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth.
For more details, visit the Project 10Million website, or take advantage of free online tutoring through Schoolhouse.world. This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure students have the connectivity and tools they need to succeed!
Free Services from the Department of Local Services
The Department of Local Services is offering free office hours to assist the community with a variety of services. Residents can receive free notary services, support with county building permits, pet license applications, and general information about county services. Office hours are held every Wednesday from 1-4 PM at 12601 76th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98178. No registration is required, and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities is available by request.
For more details, visit this link. Take advantage of these free services and get the support you need!
Community Carrot is Recruiting Young Entrepreneurs
Community Carrot is now recruiting for their 7th cohort of young adult entrepreneurs, ages 18-24. This program offers 16 weeks of free training, up to $1,500 in start-up capital, and access to incredible mentors. In addition to business support, they provide navigation to social services as needed.
To date, 65 young CEOs have successfully launched their businesses through Community Carrot. If you're ready to turn your business dreams into reality, apply today on their website and join the next group of young entrepreneurs!
Help us grow our reach!
My team and I send email updates like the one you’re currently reading every couple of weeks and we want to ensure we’re reaching as many of you in our community as possible. If you know anyone who would like to receive these updates, please be sure to send them over to our County Council website to sign up!
And as always, for more frequent and daily updates, you can check out our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter pages. For the latest news, resources, and opportunities to engage with your King County government, follow me on the social media channels of your choice:
Facebook: facebook.com/Councilmember.Girmay
Twitter: @CMGirmayZahilay
Sincerely,
Councilmember Girmay Zahilay
King County Council
District 2
206-477-1002
girmay.zahilay@kingcounty.gov
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