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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Yesterday, Dow Constantine was appointed to the Sound Transit board, meaning we anticipate he will step down from his role as King County Executive before the end of his term. As a result, the King County Council must take action to appoint an acting Executive to fill the seat. To begin this process, this week I introduced legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Perry, to appoint Deputy Executive Shannon Braddock as acting King County Executive.

There is a multi-step process, defined in Washington State Law and further clarified in the King County Charter, to selecting a new King County Executive. As a first step, Executive Constantine has selected Deputy Executive Braddock as his first choice to serve as interim Executive through an executive order. Next, the King County Council is expected to vote to appoint an acting Executive, who would serve until the Council finally selects an appointed Executive. The appointed Executive could be the acting Executive or another candidate put forward by Council. That person would then serve until general election results are certified in November of this year.

I am confident that the King County Council will work together as a body to make sure the Executive seat is filled expediently.

Sincerely,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Dunn delivers grant aimed at keeping youth hockey programs affordable for local families

Left to right: Wendy Rogers, Director of Girls Hockey and Marketing; Chris Longfellow, Youth Beginner Hockey Director; King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn; Gordan Hancock, General Manager

I recently delivered a $5,000 Youth and Amateur Sports Grant to the Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association, which will go toward keeping program fees as low as possible and support its scholarship program. I’m pleased that with this funding, more kids will have the opportunity to participate in team sports!

King County Metro restarts fare enforcement on March 31

Starting March 31, King County Metro Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders for proof of fare payment on buses and streetcars. Friendly, verbal reminders will be given to riders who did not pay.

Fare Enforcement Officers will accept proof of payment in the form of:

• a recently tapped ORCA fare card,
• an activated Transit GO Ticket on their phone,
• a tapped ORCA card in Google Wallet, or
• a transfer slip issued to someone who paid cash at the farebox.

Starting on May 31, 2025, riders who do not have valid proof of payment will receive a written warning instead of a verbal reminder. Riders can receive two of these written warnings without consequence. However, third and subsequent citations may result in a fine or an alternative resolution.

For more information, visit the Metro Matters blog.

• Maple Valley Earth Day Fair - Saturday April 5, 10 AM - 2 PM at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum
  FREE household hazardous waste drop-off AND FREE household item lead testing.
• Fairwood Market Night - second Wednesday of each month from May until October, 4PM - 8PM at Northwood Middle School
  A seasonal pop-up gathering that fosters community engagement through arts, culture, and local business support.

If you would like to have your event featured in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Tessa Ester at tessa.ester@kingcounty.gov.

RFP: Supporting Student Veterans and Their Families

Supporting Student Veterans and Their Families RFP seeks to allocate VSHSL funds to provide financial assistance and wraparound supports for King County veterans and veteran family members enrolled in post-secondary programs, including, but not limited to, colleges, universities, and trade schools. This will be a pilot program to explore a new avenue to reach veterans and support their educational aspirations.

Applications are due by 2pm on April 16, 2025. Questions? Contact Maria Pintar at mpintar@kingcounty.gov.

Find more information or apply here.

2025 Parks Levy Grants

2025 Parks Levy grants support community organizations, non-profits, and local cities and park jurisdictions. The funding is available across the four Levy Grant programs including: Aquatic Facilities Parks Capital and Open Space Open Space - River Corridors Healthy Communities and Parks Fund.

Applications due at 9 AM on April 3, 2025. Questions? Contact ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov.

Find more information or apply here.