Executive Constantine announces $11.75M in participatory budgeting grants for community centers, recreation opportunities, outdoor spaces, and additional local projects in unincorporated King County

Executive Dow Constantine recently announced $11.75 million in participatory budgeting funding for over 40 community projects and programs in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, Skyway/West Hill, and White Center/North Highline.

Projects selected by the community to receive funding include building and upgrading a senior center, elementary school playground and aquatic facility, as well as supporting a local food bank facing increased demand for assistance.

The participatory budgeting process, which Executive Constantine and the King County Council launched in 2021, is centered on community participation and collaboration. Community members submit ideas for improvements, projects, programs, or services that would make a positive difference in their neighborhood and vote to choose which will be funded. This year, voter participation nearly doubled from the inaugural round two years ago. Read more.

Giving Tuesday: Make a difference today and all year long

As our Annual Giving Drive winds down, there’s still a chance to make a meaningful difference through our Employee Giving Program. Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity powered by social media and collaboration.

For just one day, we have reopened online pledging in PeopleSoft for payroll donations only. Join the movement and pledge now. Payroll donation is a fantastic way to support a variety of organizations throughout the year effortlessly.

Did you know? 70% of employee donors have already renewed their pledges for 2025. Renewal is easy — but not automatic. Renew now. On average it takes 3 minutes.

1. Pledge - Click Make or Renew Annual Pledge and update your details.
2. Proceed - Click Proceed to review your pledge.
3. Confirm - Click Confirm to submit. You will receive an email when complete.

If you’ve already pledged – thank you! Read more.

Off-duty King County Metro bus driver honored for heroism

This article and video originally appeared on “Seattle Refined.”

When one King County Metro driver’s heart attack sent a bus down an embankment, an off-duty colleague intervened to save the driver and the passengers.

King County Metro Bus Operator Chyee Howell was driving the family car with two of her children and her niece on July 12 when they first noticed a Metro bus that had gone off the road. The bus was partly on its side and had come to a stop midway down a ravine with the vehicle’s engine still running.

With no one else yet at the scene, Howell didn’t hesitate to act. Read more.

Spend your remaining FSA funds

Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? To check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA, go to Navia Benefits and sign in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2024, and submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2025. Please see details below.

Health Care FSAs

• The Health Care FSA allows you to carry over up to $640 of unused funds from your 2024 Health Care FSA for use in 2025. You do not have to be enrolled in an FSA next year to access these funds. Any other remaining funds are forfeited.
• You can use your Health Care FSA funds to pay for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse or eligible domestic partner, and your dependents.
• Health Care FSA funds can be used to pay for orthodontia, laser eye surgery, eyeglasses, and over-the-counter medications and supplies, including menstrual care products. They can also be used for eligible ergonomic office equipment when you obtain a letter of medical necessity from your doctor.
• See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.

Day Care FSAs

• The Day Care FSA does NOT have a carryover feature. All unused funds are forfeited.
• Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time.
• Day Care FSA funds can also be used to pay eligible family members to watch your children, as long as the family member is not your tax dependent (your spouse, the parent of the child, your dependent, or your child under the age of 19).
• Online or virtual day cares and camps are not eligible for reimbursement with Day Care FSAs, according to IRS regulations.
• See the complete list of Day Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses.

If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia at 425-452-3500 or Navia Benefits.

2025 MLK Jr. calendars now available to order

The 2025 MLK Jr. calendar, designed by artist Barbara Earl Thomas, is now available for King County employees to order.

All orders will need to be submitted via the order form by Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Listed below are the guidelines for submitting orders:

1. Only one order per section is allowed. Please identify one person in your section/department to coordinate and submit your order.
2. Minimum order is 50 calendars and increased in increments of 50 (50, 100, 150, 200, etc.).
3. We will not be accepting individual orders and you will need to coordinate with your section/departments contact person.
4. If you do not have a Mailstop, then you will need to arrange a time to pick up your order from Chinook.

Artist biography: Thomas is a Seattle-based visual storyteller that has drawn from history, literature, folklore, mythology, and biblical throughout her career. Thomas's illumination of the human figure through her light-filled artworks and portraiture encourages the viewer to reflect on how we communicate ourselves to the world and how we perceive those among us.

RISE Affinity Group meeting, Dec. 9

The Refugee and Immigrant Support and Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group empowers immigrant and refugee employees to succeed in the workplace through providing a collective voice and representation, creating a space that fosters a sense of community and belonging, and advocating for equitable access to resources, support, and opportunities for professional growth.

Join us at our next meeting. This is a great opportunity to collaborate, share valuable insights, and make meaningful connections together! 

• Monday, Dec. 9 at noon on Microsoft Teams. Join the meeting now using Meeting ID: 258 742 208 969 and Passcode: oS9yK92a

For questions contact RISE@kingcounty.gov. For more information about RISE and other King County Affinity Groups, visit www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.

Get Movin’ with Balanced You

Movement and physical activity are proven to have a positive impact on mental health. These 30-minute movement breaks are free and virtual so you can tap in from anywhere and benefit from the instruction of a certified trainer. Join us for all the classes in the Get Movin' with Balanced You series focusing on yoga, stretching, cardio, core, mat-based Pilates, and strength training. Classes are for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

• Yoga; Energize and stretch your body with yoga practices; Wednesday, Dec. 4, 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.
• Tai Chi; Exercise and relax with Tai Chi movements; Wednesday, Dec. 11, 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register here.