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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For years, our courts have faced a significant backlog of unlawful detainer cases, placing major strain on housing providers and driving up rental costs across our region. That’s why I was pleased that the Council approved my legislation this week to add new housing court commissioner positions to the King County Superior Court. King County Courts have a responsibility to resolve cases efficiently and fairly, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in taking this important step toward supporting affordable and fair housing in King County.

The King County Council approves Councilmember Dunn's legislation to create new housing court commissioner positions.

This is just the first of several actions I have taken in the past year to reduce the eviction backlog and support a more efficient, fair court process:

• I worked with the King County Superior Court and advocated for expedited proceedings in the most urgent situations. This effort resulted in new emergency rules that reduce unnecessary delays and continuances in cases involving dangerous behavior;
• I worked with the King County Council to secure more than $1.5 million in the 2025 budget to fund two additional court judges, as well as support staff to triage and manage caseloads; and
• I supported state legislation authorizing superior courts to appoint additional commissioners focused specifically on unlawful detainers; and
• Just this week, I was pleased that the Council approved my legislation to add new housing court commissioner positions to the King County Superior Court.

Thanks to these combined efforts, pending unlawful detainer cases, as seen in the graph below, are trending in the right direction.

A functional court system is essential for housing stability. When housing providers cannot access timely court proceedings, they can face severe financial consequences, and prolonged delays can create unsafe conditions for surrounding communities.

I am encouraged by the continued progress we are seeing and remain fully committed to ensuring that King County Courts meet their responsibility to resolve cases efficiently, fairly, and transparently.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Congratulations to this year's Spellman Award Winners

Mayor Sean Kelly speaks at the 24th Annual John D. Spellman Awards Ceremony.

Today, I am pleased to share with you that all four John D. Spellman Awards for Achievement in Historic Preservation winners were from District 9! It was great to have Executive Shannon Braddock out in District 9, along with Mayor Sean Kelly, community leaders, and residents at Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley for this year’s 24^th annual award ceremony. This celebration is always a highlight of the year, but it was especially meaningful to see that so many honorees are from right here in our community.

These awards recognize individuals, programs, projects, and businesses that play a vital role in preserving King County’s heritage and strengthening our communities. Spellman was the first King County Executive and 18th Governor of Washington. He established the County’s Historic Preservation Program in 1980.

 Please join me in applauding this year’s distinguished recipients:

• Black Diamond Historical Society and Museum – Honored in the Stewardship and Education category for their outstanding work preserving the historic Black Diamond Railroad Depot and educating the public about our region’s rich cultural heritage. Their commitment to safeguarding local history is a tremendous gift to current and future generations.
• Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Preservation Program – Recognized in the Restoration category for their exceptional efforts to preserve, stabilize, and restore the historic Reynolds Indian Agency Cabin. Their work, shaped in part by the leadership of former Manager Donna Hogerhuis, embodies the diligence, respect, and cultural responsibility that historic preservation demands.
• The Rainier Bar and Grill in Enumclaw – Celebrated as this year’s Legacy Business honoree for decades of serving as a welcoming gathering place for residents and visitors alike. The Rainier Bar and Grill has long been a cornerstone of downtown Enumclaw, helping to sustain the character and vitality of the community.
• Liz Stewart from the Renton History Museum – Awarded for Career Achievement, Liz has been a tireless educator preserving our region’s unique history. The Renton History Museum preserves, documents, and educates the public about Renton’s rich heritage in ways that engage diverse people of all ages.

Today’s ceremony was a reminder of the importance of protecting our shared historic legacy. Whether through preserving buildings, honoring cultural traditions, or celebrating local businesses that anchor our communities, these efforts enrich our community and deepen our connection to the place we call home.

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s award recipients. Your work is essential to maintaining the heritage, identity, and vibrancy of King County, and I am grateful for your contributions.

Support our Local Small Businesses for Small Business Saturday

Thanksgiving isn’t quite here yet, but I wanted to flag for you that Small Business Saturday is coming up next week (the day after Black Friday).

Now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Please join my office and organizations across the region to celebrate small business contributions to our community by shopping at a small business on November 29.

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 and has been officially cosponsored by SBA since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season. 

In the News

• The Seattle Times: Strong back-to-office policy would help new King County executive | The Seattle Times