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

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

An independent financial report recently found that the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) faces an estimated $17 million unrecoverable balance. Work on the report, produced by an independent firm, began in July as part of a 3-part stabilization effort announced by the King County Executive and Seattle Mayor. However, while I greatly appreciate efforts to reform failing government agencies, it continues to be my belief that King County should part with with KCRHA entirely.

Unfortunately, these developments are not a surprise. All the way back in 2019, I raised concerns about the proposed regional homelessness governance model. And over three years ago, I wrote a 2023 Seattle Times op-ed calling for King County to end its participation in KCRHA.

“Once again, King County residents will be asked to foot the bill to cover for bureaucratic and financial mismanagement at KCRHA.” –Councilmember Reagan Dunn

Amidst the agency’s repeated administrative mistakes, we shouldn't forget that our region’s homelessness policies have failed the most vulnerable among us.

I was pleased to recently have the opportunity to write about how our region’s approach to homelessness needs a complete overhaul. Read it here: King County, Seattle approach to homelessness needs a complete overhaul — The Seattle Times

If we want to truly reduce homelessness and help those on our streets who desperately need assistance, rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic isn’t enough. We must reverse our failed policies, restore accountability to taxpayer spending, and end the failed experiment that is KCRHA.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Over $345,000 in WaterWorks Grants Secured for Local Water Quality Projects

Councilmember Dunn tours waterworks projects in District 9.

I was thrilled to recently announce that seven projects serving communities in Council District 9 will receive over $345,000 in WaterWorks grant funding.

The grants are intended to improve water quality, strengthen stormwater infrastructure, restore lakes and wetland habitat, and provide environmental education and stewardship opportunities.

All of these projects improve local water quality, protect our communities from stormwater runoff, and help preserve critical habitat for salmon and wildlife. Whether addressing aging stormwater infrastructure or improving the health of lakes, wetlands, or rivers, each of these projects was identified by our community as necessary and beneficial for our region.

The District 9 WaterWorks funding includes:

• $105,000 to the City of Maple Valley for the Elk Run Pond Retrofit Project, which will improve the function and water-quality treatment capacity of the pond.
• $67,012 to the City of Newcastle for the S-038 Stormwater Conveyance Rehabilitation Program, continuing investments in the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure.
• $60,000 to the Lake Desire Community Club for the Lake Desire Water Quality Improvement Project.
• $51,210 to SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve for Water-flow Enhancements at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve.
• $41,400 to Stewardship Partners for the Lake Twelve Comprehensive Water Quality Restoration project in the Black Diamond area.
• $16,500 to Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust toward Inspiring the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards with the Greenway Trust Education Program.
• $4,000 to the YMCA of Greater Seattle toward Youth in Action: Stewardship, Education & Leadership.

Generally awarded every two years, King County’s WaterWorks Grant Program funds projects that improve water quality within the service area of King County’s regional wastewater system. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, schools and educational institutions, local agencies, community groups, tribes, and special purpose districts.

To learn more about this grant program, visit the Waterworks Grant Program webpage.

Future of Solid Waste: Submit an official public comment by November 20.

The Cedar Hills Regional Landfill

The Cedar Hills Regional Landfill is expected to reach capacity within the next 10–20 years.   

King County is studying what should happen next, including shipping garbage by rail to another landfill, building a waste-to-energy facility, or using a combination of approaches. 

These choices could affect future garbage costs, environmental impacts, and how waste moves through our region. The County is asking residents to review its draft environmental analysis and submit comments before that review is finalized. 

Selected upcoming public meetings: 

• Tuesday, Oct 20, 6:40 pm, King County Library Service Center (960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah
• Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-7 pm Kent Commons Community Center (Olympic Room)
• Tuesday, October 27, 6-7 pm White Center Library
• Thursday, Oct. 29, 12-1 pm Via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82109140166
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 6-7 pm Third Place Commons
• Tuesday, November 10, 6-7 pm Highland Middle School

Submit official comments by November 20 at 11:59 p.m. Use the online comment form or email SWDCompPlan@kingcounty.gov. You can also mail comments by addressing them to King County Solid Waste Division, Attn: Patty Liu, Project Manager, 201 S. Jackson Street, Suite 6400, Seattle, WA 98104-3855. Please note that questions asked during a meeting's Q&A do not count as official comments.  

Learn more at the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan open house website.