Summary

Story

On Friday, May 2, 2009, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the fourth of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public safety functions, are included in the furlough plan.>All King County buildings will be closed for the furlough, except the following:

• Youth Service Center
• King County Courthouse
• King County Regional Communications and Emergency Service Center (911)
• Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center
• District Courts (6 locations: Aukeen, Bellevue, Burien, Redmond, Issaquah, and Shoreline)
• The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• The Community Psychiatric Clinic at the North Public Health Center
• The Health Point clinic at the Federal Way Public Health Center
• King County Medical Examiner’s Office
• Public Health’s STD Clinic at Harborview Medical Center with clinical services available
• Goat Hill Garage will have normal operations
• Sheriff’s Office Precincts (Maple Valley, Burien, Kenmore)

In addition, Rainier Park Clinic (NeighborCare Health) co-located at the Columbia Public Health Center will also be open. Signs about the closure will be posted in advance in public buildings. Information will also be posted on the county’s Web site. Unless otherwise specified, furloughed employees will not be responding to e-mail or voice mail on furlough days.  The selected furlough days are next to existing holidays or weekends and were strategically chosen to limit impacts on residents who depend on King County services because they tend to have the fewest phone calls and requests for service.

Remaining 2009 King County furlough days are:

Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
Monday, Oct. 12, 2009
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009

Metro will operate regular weekday bus service and regular fares apply on the Friday furlough. The Metro Customer Information Office and phone line (206-553-3000) will be closed. Riders should use the online   Trip Planner instead.

King County ’s Boeing Field Terminal Building and regular aviation operations will be open.

Additional furlough day services and changes

The county’s   Department of Judicial Administration and  Superior Court will be open as usual. District Court will run with limited staffing and there will be no probation services.

King County Sheriff’s Deputies and King County Medic One will respond to emergency calls through the 911 system as normal.

King County Solid Waste disposal and recycling facilities will be open, but administrative offices will be closed.

King County Crisis and Commitment Services will be available as usual around the clock as needed during the furlough.

King County Animal Care and Control will be closed to the public on furlough days, but staff and volunteers will be on hand to care for the animals. The shelters will have normal weekend hours.

A complete list of county facilities and their furlough-related open or closed status is available online: https://www.kingcounty.gov/property/BuildingServices/CurrentBuildingStatus.aspx