Summary

Last year, King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council told the Department of Local Services to collaborate with those who live and work in unincorporated areas to create community needs lists. These are lists of projects for King County to complete in support of each community’s vision.

Story

The first step in creating a community needs list is to gather requests from people who live and work in that community via an online survey at https://publicinput.com/UKCcommunityneedslist.

By completing a survey, people in unincorporated King County can help direct the work the county will do in their communities. 

King County Local Services—the local government in unincorporated areas—aims to get as many people as possible in those areas to share their ideas by completing the survey for the community where they live or work:

• Bear Creek/Sammamish
• East Federal Way
• East Renton Plateau
• Fairwood
• Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain
• Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
• North Highline (includes Subarea Plan information)
• SE King County
• Skyway-West Hill (includes Subarea Plan information)
• Snoqualmie Valley-Northeast King County
• Vashon-Maury Island

These surveys will guide what will eventually become community needs lists, which will help the county prioritize projects and will inform the development of the county’s budget. Local Services will coordinate with other King County and partner agencies to develop actionable programs, services, or improvements that the county can deliver.

QUOTES

King County Executive Dow Constantine: “King County is the local government for the quarter-million people who live in the unincorporated areas—outside of our 39 cities—and these surveys are a great way for local residents to help plan the future of their communities. Working together with neighbors, businesses, and King County's Department of Local Services, we’re seeking to ensure that every community is a welcoming place where all residents can thrive.”

King County Local Services Director John Taylor: “This community needs list process is important because it gives residents and businesses of the unincorporated areas a chance to chart their course. The people who know best what a community needs are those who live and work there, so it’s vital that their voices are heard.”

King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay: “Speaking to Skyway residents specifically, I want them to know that this is a great chance to tell their government what they envision for their neighborhood. Too many times, our community is affected by outside factors that are out of our control. Completing this survey to help identify what Skyway needs most puts the area’s future back in our hands.”

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott: “King County’s unincorporated communities are unique, and each resident of those communities should have a say in their future. I encourage residents of the two unincorporated areas that I represent—White Center and Vashon Island—to take this online survey and play an active role in shaping the places where they live and/or work.”

LINKS

• Community Needs List surveys