I-976 impacts to Seattle and King County: if no replacement funds, major cuts to Metro service
King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined possible consequences of I-976, the $30 car-tab initiative that failed in King County but passed statewide in the Nov. 5 election.
King County does not collect vehicle license fees or motor vehicle excises taxes, which would be repealed under I-976. However, the state of Washington, Sound Transit and 13 King County cities including Seattle use these sources to fund mobility projects, impacting Metro operations. Read more.
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Welcome Alysha Kaplan to the OEM
We recently had an opportunity to chat with Alysha Kaplan, the Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) new deputy director. She comes to King County from Washington State Emergency Management Division (WA EMD), where she worked for 13 years. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation. Read more.
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2019 Annual Giving Drive: Spotlight on nonprofits providing services and support for Veterans
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program is underway through Friday, Nov. 22, and almost 1,200 nonprofits are taking part this year. Throughout this year’s drive, we’ll be featuring four nonprofits in different categories. This week, we’re highlighting nonprofits that provide services and support for Veterans and their families in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Read more.
Open Enrollment started Nov. 1, ends Nov. 15
Take a fresh look at your benefits. Make the most of your robust King County employee benefits package by making informed decisions for next year during Open Enrollment, Nov. 1 – 15. Follow these steps to ensure you are selecting the right benefit options for you and your family. Read more.
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The Executive Department Harvest Festival is this Friday, Nov. 8
The Executive Department Senior Leadership Team hopes you can join them at the Employee Giving Program Harvest Festival. The festival will feature booths with pumpkin painting, popcorn, nonprofits, and pets available for adoption. There will be a drawing for prizes such as a $100 gift certificate to Ethan Stowell restaurants, a fall-themed gift basket, and lunch with the Executive.
Friday, Nov. 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Chinook Building, Rooms 124, 126 & the Executive Conference Room, 401 Fifth Ave, Seattle WA 98104. For more information contact Lily Clifton at LClifton@kingcounty.gov. Suggested donation of $10 at the door, but giving at any level is welcome. Proceeds will go to select nonprofits and the EGP general fund. Read more.
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King County Regional Veterans Court celebrates Veterans Day and court graduates, Nov. 14
Regional Veterans Court (RVC) will celebrate all veterans and graduates who have successfully completed the court program, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at 1 p.m. at the King County Courthouse (Courtroom E-326). All are welcome to attend!
RVC is a specialized track within King County District Court that connects veterans in the justice system to health and behavioral health treatment, housing, and other services they may need to re-stabilize their lives. The court helps veterans stay out of further involvement in the justice system, and reduces the use of jails and emergency services by veterans. For more information contact RVC Coordinator Kate Tramontana.
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Reminder: ESJ Opportunity Fund now accepting applications, deadline Nov. 22
The Office of Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) is now accepting applications for the Equity and Social Justice Opportunity Fund. The Opportunity Fund is a competitive process that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity, social justice, and King County’s mission to lead with racial justice in support of the ESJ Strategic Plan. Read more in the overview here and download the application here.
Applications are due by or before Nov. 22, 2019. For questions contact Tynishia Walker at TWalker@kingcounty.gov or at 206-263-0534.
Stress less this holiday season: Self-care tips to consider during this busy time of year
The holidays can be full of joy, loved ones, and fabulous food. They also can be triggers for sadness and fatigue. It’s especially important to practice stress management this time of year. Balanced You and King County’s Making Life Easier program offer the following tips to help you enjoy the season to the fullest. Read more.
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Take winter by storm
Are you ready for fall and winter storms? Power outages? Snow? You’ll soon be receiving details from your leadership about your role in emergencies. Whether you are a first responder, a mission-critical employee, or a non-mission critical employee in emergencies, you’ll need to be prepared. You may need to be able to stay at or get to work and function in an emergency, get home from work, and be sure you and your family can weather a storm without assistance for several days. When a major earthquake hits, you’ll need to be self-sustaining for even longer. Read more.
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Discounts for Summit at Snoqualmie and UW Local Government Appreciation basketball games
Employees are reminded that today, Nov. 6, is the last day to take advantage of the deepest discounts available for the Summit at Snoqualmie Corporate Season Pass, and beginning Nov. 7, prices will increase slightly. This includes Unlimited pass (covering adult, young adult, teen, youth, child, senior, and super senior) and Limited (covering adult, young adult, teen, youth, and senior) season passes. To purchase, follow these online instructions, sales will end Jan. 8, 2020. For more information about rates and discounts for the Summit at Snoqualmie 2019-2020 season, email summitstore@summiti90.com.
King County employees are also welcome to take advantage of discounted tickets to two UW Husky basketball games. These games are part of the UW Local Government
Appreciation discount. The two games are Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m. against Arizona State University, and Friday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. against Washington State University. To access the discount for both games visit this link here. For more information contact JRothbaum@pac-12sales.com.
Training Spotlight
Leadership for Women, Dec. 4: Examine the issues and challenges facing women in leadership positions and how a values-based leadership style is critical to becoming an effective and authentic leader. During this three-hour course you will develop your Value-Based Leadership Mission Statement. Your mission statement will help you to lead according to your values, stay focused during challenging times, and simply your decision-making. You will also learn 17 reasons women make great leaders. Register and learn more.
Pet of the Week: Sparky
Sparky is an 11 year-old, male, black and white, shorthair cat (A581600). His personality color is BLUE, meaning he is a gentle and loving boy who likes to take things slow. Sparky is very affectionate and he loves gentle head and cheek scratches. He has a big purr and doesn’t stop the whole time you are petting him!
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Featured Job: Equity and Social Justice Coordinator - Council
Salary: $74,185.00 - $99,770.00 Annually
Department: KCC - King County Council
Closing: 11/14/2019 11:59 PM Pacific
KC Headlines
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