This week, legislation sponsored by Councilmember Rod Dembowski, myself, CM Sarah Perry, and CM Pete von Reichbauer, CM Steffanie Fain, and CM Rhonda Lewis to establish an Inspector General Division advanced out of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee. This is an important step forward in our ongoing work to strengthen independent oversight, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and ensure King County has the tools it needs to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud, waste, and abuse.
As I said when this legislation was introduced, taxpayers have had enough; they deserve a government that delivers real accountability for financial wrongdoing and provides tangible results. An Inspector General division will give King County the teeth it needs to conduct rigorous oversight, pursue independent investigations, uncover improper conduct, and ensure meaningful repercussions.
Councilmember Dunn address the King County Council regarding his Grant Oversight Legislation.
The legislation builds on last year’s King County Council vote approving my comprehensive reform package to overhaul oversight of taxpayer-funded grants within DCHS.
If passed, the legislation would establish an Inspector General Division within the Office of Public Complaints, with authority to investigate reports of financial fraud and abuse, issue subpoenas, pursue recovery of misspent funds, and issue written findings and recommendations when fraud, waste, or abuse is identified. It would also establish a centralized King County Fraud Hotline, creating a single point of access for reporting suspected fraud and improper conduct.
There is still much more to do, but I am encouraged to see this legislation move forward. With affordability on all of our minds, one of my top priorities remains ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently, effectively, and free from waste and abuse.
Councilmember Dunn speaks at the Black Diamond 250 Heritage Day celebration.
It was an honor to join community members, local leaders, and the Black Diamond Historical Society last weekend for Black Diamond’s America 250 Heritage Day celebration, marking both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 50th anniversary of the Black Diamond Historical Society and Museum. The event also included a ribbon cutting for the museum’s new simulated mine exhibit, and was a great reminder that our national story is built by local communities like Black Diamond.
I was especially proud that King County was able to support the Historical Society’s work with $5,000 in Community Service Organization funding this year, including $2,500 used to help make this event possible. Thank you to the Black Diamond Historical Society, Mayor John Adler, all of Black Diamond’s officials and elected leaders, and the many volunteers and organizers who continue to preserve and share Black Diamond’s remarkable history. Congratulations to the Historical Society on 50 years of keeping that story alive!
|
From June 15 to August 23, replacement of the Fifteen Mile Creek Bridge will close SE May Valley Road near Issaquah-Hobart Road SE. You can read more about the project on the dedicated project website here.
I know how difficult these road closures can be, and I have worked extensively with the Roads Department to ensure that our community was fully engaged in this process.
 |
|
Outreach included an online community meeting held on May 12th, in-person meetings with neighbors, coordination with Issaquah School District, US Postal Service: Issaquah Station, Republic Services, and Eastside Fire & Rescue to ensure services to residents remain during the road closure, postcards mailed to almost 15,000 nearby residents, project information signs installed near the project, flyers, portable electronic message boards, updates on the dedicated project website, and several Road Alert messages have been sent to subscribers via text and email. |
Below is the most recent language from the Department of Local Services regarding the project:
We are replacing the Fifteen Mile Creek Bridge because it is past its useful life. We have repaired this bridge many times over the years, and now it is time to replace it. The new bridge will be designed to meet current national bridge standards. These standards include weight capacity, lane and shoulder widths, and environmental protection.
A full closure SE May Valley Road for replacement of the Fifteen Mile Creek Bridge #493C is planned from June 15, 2026 at 7 am. SE May Valley Road near Issaquah Hobart Road SE will be fully closed in both directions and a temporary signed detour route will be in place. The road will be closed to all vehicles including emergency responders, pedestrians, and bicycles.
The closure is expected to remain in place through midnight on August 23, 2026. This work may be rescheduled or delayed due to crew or equipment availability or weather conditions. We will post the confirmed closure date at least two weeks before work begins on this website.
Beginning on April 28, utility companies began relocating their lines prior to the bridge construction. This work requires occasional lane restrictions and is expected to last through the end of May.
From June 2 to June 12, SE May Valley Road will be reduced to a single lane between 233rd Ave SE and Issaquah Hobart Road SE from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays as construction begins. The road will remain open during this period and flaggers will direct traffic two-way traffic through a single open lane through the work zone. Delays should be expected.
View the project flyer (4MB)
View the slides from the Community Meeting on May 12, 2026 (6MB)
For the most up-to-date status, check My Commute. Register for Road Alerts to receive email or text notifications about Road Services work in your community.
|
