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King County Council News
Latest News
May 12, 2023
King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders brings together local leaders, record-level attendees to talk about ongoing drug crisis
More than 500 people attended (virtually and in-person) the third annual King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders on Thursday, the largest crowd since the conference’s inception in 2021
January 31, 2023
Council votes to send $1.25B Crisis Care Centers levy to voters
The King County Council voted Tuesday to send a $1.25 billion behavioral health levy to voters for consideration on an April special election ballot.
January 25, 2023
End of an era: Kohl-Welles announces plan to retire from Council
King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles announced Wednesday that she plans to retire from office after her term ends in 2023.
January 20, 2023
McDermott will not seek re-election
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott announced Friday that he would not seek re-election to the Council. His term ends at the end of this year.
Older News
December 13, 2022
Council names Upthegrove new Chair as part of annual reorganization
King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove was on Tuesday selected by his peers to become the new Chair of the Council as members approved their annual reorganization for leadership roles.
November 15, 2022
Massive investments in public safety, transit, and housing headline approved 2023-2024 King County Budget
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $16.2 billion budget to fund King County for the next two years. The 2023-2024 biennial budget includes funding for clean energy, affordable housing, public transit, protecting the environment, improving community safety, behavioral health and more.
November 10, 2022
Council makes major investments in economic recovery, community safety & public safety on Metro transit, adds inflation funding for human service providers
The King County Council's budget proposal on Thursday cleared its last hurdle before final approval when the Budget & Fiscal Management Committee approved the $16.2 billion proposal.
October 27, 2022
Don't Count Us Out: King County Launches Campaign to Fight Stigma of Addiction, Share Hope for Recovery
King County has launched an online campaign that aims to reduce the stigma that surrounds people who suffer from an active addiction or are in recovery.
October 4, 2022
Council chooses Amanda Dodd to fill Bothell City Council vacancy
The King County Council on Tuesday appointed Amanda Dodd to fill a vacant seat on the Bothell City Council by a unanimous vote.
October 4, 2022
Council honors Brad Finegood with 2022 Recovery Champion Award
The King County Council on Tuesday presented the Recovery Champion Award to Brad Finegood, a Behavioral Health Strategic Advisor with Public Health – Seattle & King County.
September 28, 2022
Council votes unanimously to help local food banks amid soaring inflation
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion that tasks King County with identifying resources to help local food banks that are struggling to meet increased demand amid the compounding impacts of rising inflation, labor shortages, and historic interest rate spikes.
September 6, 2022
Dunn and Upthegrove Proclaim September as Behavioral Health Recovery Month
King County Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Dave Upthegrove were joined by their fellow councilmembers in proclaiming September as Behavioral Health Recovery Month in King County.
July 26, 2022
Free Youth Transit Passes Soon to Be Available Across King County
The King County Council has passed legislation that will now grant young people free year-round public transit. Dubbed the Free Youth Transit Pass, the measure passed unanimously earlier this afternoon and will now allow all King County residents under the age of 19 to ride for free starting later this summer
July 26, 2022
Council approves creation of permanent gun, ammo return program
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to create a permanent voluntary safe firearm and ammunition return program within the King County Sheriff's Office.
July 19, 2022
Amid overdose surge, Council Decemberlares fentanyl a public health crisis
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved Councilmember Reagan Dunn's legislation, co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Sarah Perry, to Decemberlare fentanyl a public health crisis in King County.
May 24, 2022
Patti Cole-Tindall confirmed as King County Sheriff
The King County Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to confirm Patti Cole-Tindall as the new King County Sheriff.
May 17, 2022
Council approves creation of Cannabis Safety Taskforce
Legislation to create a Cannabis Safety Taskforce, sponsored by Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Jeanne Kohl-Welles, on Tuesday passed out of the King County Council.
May 10, 2022
Council chooses Pamela Stuart to fill Sammamish City Council vacancy
The King County Council on Tuesday appointed Pamela Stuart to fill a vacant seat on the Sammamish City Council by a unanimous vote.
May 10, 2022
Council Decemberlares Roe v. Wade \'91the law of the land,\'92 pledges support for reproductive freedom
The King County Council on Tuesday passed legislation Decemberlaring its support for reproductive freedom and that the Roe v. Wade Decemberision, even if overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, is the \'93law of the land\'94 In King County.
April 19, 2022
King County Council unanimously votes to support Ukraine
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion sponsored by Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Rod Dembowski to provide aid and support to Ukraine and to Ukrainian people in King County.
April 6, 2022
King County legislation to support Ukraine passes committee with unanimous approval
The King County Council\'92s Committee of the Whole on Wednesday unanimously approved a motion sponsored by Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Rod Dembowski that would provide aid and support to Ukraine and Ukrainian people in King County.
March 15, 2022
Council approves plan to fight displacement, promote equity, social justice
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at fighting displacement and combating the effects of historical racism and injustice through establishment of a grants program and suite of other resources.
March 1, 2022
Councilmembers Dunn and Dembowski introduce legislation to provide County support to Ukraine
Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Rod Dembowski on Tuesday introduced an emergency motion to provide aid and support to Ukraine and Ukrainian people in King County.
January 11, 2022
Council approves new leadership, committee structure and assignments
The King County Council on Tuesday approved 2022 leaders and membership for the seven council committees, three regional committees, the Board of Health and the Flood Control District Board of Supervisors and Executive Committee.
January 11, 2022
Councilmember Perry outlines priorities, celebrates first Council meeting
Newly sworn-in King County Councilmember Sarah Perry on Tuesday outlined her top priorities and attended her first Council meeting, where she also received her committee assignments.
December 14, 2021
City Hall Park land swap agreement approved by Council, awaits Seattle Council approval
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation to turn over City Hall Park to the County in exchange for several County-owned properties within Seattle.
December 10, 2021
Council approves unique public-private partnership to construct key Eastrail/520 Trail Corridor connector in Bellevue
Today the King County Council authorized an agreement between King County and the nonprofit community-based organization Eastrail Partners for the funding, design, and construction of a 400-footlong trail connection between the 520 Trail Corridor and Eastrail in Bellevue.
December 7, 2021
Cancelled Homeless Population Count Spurs Dunn to Ask for Reconsideration
King County Council Vice Chairman Reagan Dunn issued a letter calling on the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) to re-instate the 2022 Point in Time Count.
December 7, 2021
Massive Health Through Housing Measure Approved by King County Council
The King County Council has passed an implementation plan for King County\'92s Health through Housing program, which aims to house up to 1,600 people experiencing chronic homelessness.
December 7, 2021
Groundbreaking Metro Transit Updates Passed by King County Council
The King County Council has passed a groundbreaking series of key policy changes that will influence the next 10 years of public transit investments across King County.
December 7, 2021
Groundbreaking Metro Transit Updates Passed by King County Council
The King County Council has passed a groundbreaking series of key policy changes that will influence the next 10 years of public transit investments across King County.
November 23, 2021
Council chooses Chris Villasenor to fill Newcastle City Council vacancy
The King County Council on Monday appointed Chris Villasenor to fill a vacant seat on the Newcastle City Council by a unanimous vote.
November 23, 2021
$672 million supplemental budget, funding climate projects, gun violence reduction and key service restorations approved by King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $672 million supplemental budget.
November 16, 2021
Councilmembers award nine community members with Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service
The King County Council on Tuesday completed its sixth year of awarding the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service to members of the community who responded to Dr. King's question: "What are you doing for others?"
November 16, 2021
Human Trafficking Prevention Effort Passed by King County Council
Legislation reaffirming King County Council\'92s commitment to combatting human trafficking passed unanimously Tuesday.
November 9, 2021
King County Council approves review of home occupation regulations in light of the rise of remote work
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn\'92s motion asking for a review and update of home occupation regulations in King County was approved Tuesday by a unanimous vote of the King County Council
November 9, 2021
King County Council approves review of home occupation regulations in light of the rise of remote work
Today King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn\'92s motion asking for a review and update of home occupation regulations in King County was approved by a unanimous vote of the King County Council
October 19, 2021
Council approves legislation to turn City Hall Park over to County
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation that would seek options for King County to acquire City Hall Park from the City of Seattle and explore future plans and uses of the park, which is adjacent to the King County Courthouse, the seat of county government.
September 16, 2021
Kohl-Welles, Dunn bring legislation to spotlight human trafficking in King County, statewide
King County Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Reagan Dunn on Thursday introduced legislation re-affirming the Council\'92s commitment to education about and the combatting of human trafficking.
September 14, 2021
Dunn, Kohl-Welles lead King County Council in recognition of National Recovery Month
King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn and Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles were joined by their fellow councilmembers Tuesday in recognizing September as Behavioral Health Recovery Month in King County.
July 27, 2021
Council approves more than $389 million for courts backlog, community supports, rental assistance, and more in latest round of emergency COVID funding
The King County Council on Tuesday approved its latest round of emergency COVID-19 funding, a supplemental budget totaling more than $389 million.
July 27, 2021
New Law Enforcement Oversight Director Appointed for King County
The King County Council has appointed Tamer Abouzeid, an attorney, mediator, community organizer and policy professional, to serve as the new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight.
July 13, 2021
Council approves requirement for electric vehicle charging in new development
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation adding requirements for much of new development in unincorporated King County to include charging stations and dedicated parking for electric vehicles. The legislation pushes toward one of the key goals of the Council\'92s Strategic Climate Action Plan.
June 29, 2021
Kohl-Welles to transfer \'91retired\'92 vans to organizations serving District Four
King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles has designated four local organizations that will receive retired Metro Transit Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to people with disabilities, low-income individuals, seniors, and young people.
June 29, 2021
‘Just cause,’ other transformative tenant protections approved by Council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a transformative tenant protections package headlined by capped move-in fees and new \'91just cause\'92 eviction criteria.
June 28, 2021
Two finalists identified for King County law enforcement oversight job
The King County Council announced this week that is has narrowed its search for a new director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) down to two finalists.
June 1, 2021
Facial Recognition Technology Ban Passed by King County Council
A groundbreaking proposal to ban government use of facial recognition software has been passed by the King County Council. It was approved Tuesday afternoon by a vote of 9-0. King County, home to 2.3 million people in and around Seattle, becomes the first county and one of the largest jurisdictions in the United States to pass such a ban.
May 25, 2021
Record $631 million emergency COVID budget approved by Council
A seventh round of emergency funding in response to COVID-19, this time totaling more than $631 million, was approved Tuesday by the King County Council by a vote of 8-1.
May 19, 2021
Dembowski issues statement on retirement of Public Health Director Patty Hayes
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the retirement of Public Health Seattle – King County Directory Patty Hayes.
April 27, 2021
King County fireworks ban approved by full council
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation that will ban fireworks in unincorporated King County starting in 2022.
November 17, 2020
King County Council passes $12.59 billion biennial budget that invests with purpose in housing, anti-racist policies, programs for the vulnerable, community engagement
The King County Council on Tuesday passed the 2021-22 biennial King County budget.
October 13, 2020
Council Passes Unprecedented Funding to Create Supportive Housing
The King County Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to an unprecedented investment to target help to the people experiencing homelessness who are the hardest to reach.
October 13, 2020
King County Council denounces last week's hate-filled attack during Zoom meeting
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott read the following statement from the Full Council Tuesday in response to a hacked Zoom meeting last week.
October 12, 2020
King County Announces Funding for International Market in Tukwila
King County Councilmembers Dave Upthegrove and Joe McDermott announced today that $1.5 million has been included in the proposed King County budget for a new international market in Tukwila.
September 29, 2020
Dunn's Request for Study on COVID-19 Response Approved by King County Council
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation that directs King County to partner with the University of Washington to analyze the effectiveness of the COVID-19 response in King County.
September 29, 2020
Upthegrove fights for immigrant businesses with motion to stop discrimination in banking
The King County Council passed a motion that reaffirms support for immigrant communities needing to send money to loved ones overseas who may not have access to bank accounts.
September 29, 2020
King County Council Budget Process Starts this Week
The King County Council began its budget process this week. This overview provides key dates and other information.
September 24, 2020
Upthegrove Announces Continued Funding for Burien LEAD Program
King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove announced Wednesday that he had secured funding for the Burien Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in the Executive\'92s 2021-22 biennial county budget.
September 23, 2020
King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove today announced his support for a plan to provide up to $400 million in funding for safe, supportive housing.
September 22, 2020
King County Announces Funding for International Market in Tukwila
September 1, 2020
COVID-19 Response Prompts Nearly $100M in Additional Emergency Funding
The King County Council has approved a fourth round of emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 24, 2020
Council Sends Seven Charter Amendments to November Ballot for Voter Approval
The King County Council approved sending seven charter amendments to the November ballot for voter approval.
July 24, 2020
Council Approves Kohl-Welles' Amendment to Keep Gun Stores Away from Schools
As part of the Comprehensive Plan update, Council approved an amendment from Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles to require new gun stores be at least 500 feet from schools.
March 10, 2020
Council Approves Expansive Package, Including $28.2M in Funding, for COVID-19 Response
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a suite of legislation to aid in the county response to the COVID-19 outbreak.