Newsroom – King County Council

2024 News

November 20, 2024
Council Approves $10.2 Billion Budget for 2025 with Massive Investments in Public Safety, Health, Housing, and Transit
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $10.2 billion, one-year county budget that invests in critical regional priorities, including public safety, public health, public defense, and comprehensive planning, along with millions of dollars for affordable housing and other capital projects across King County.

October 17, 2024
Mosqueda announces new permitting priority to fast-track childcare, affordable housing projects
King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda this week announced that childcare and affordable housing projects will be able to move forward faster and with lower costs thanks to new prioritizations in the King County permitting process for these kinds of applications.

September 24, 2024
Council Approves Perry Proposal to Create a Regulatory Framework for Battery Energy Storage Systems in King County
The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation that establishes regulations around how and where battery energy storage systems – essentially rechargeable battery arrays – can be set up.

September 23, 2024
Council Embarks Upon 2025 Budget Process Upcoming Meetings and Town Halls
The King County Council, under the leadership of Budget and Fiscal Management Chair Girmay Zahilay, is set to begin reviewing a proposed $10.2 billion budget for King County for 2025, and is offering multiple opportunities for the public to learn about and weigh in on the Council’s budget priorities.

July 17, 2024
Following fatal crash in Fairwood, Dunn’s traffic safety study clears hurdle
The King County Council’s Local Services and Land Use Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Councilmember Reagan Dunn that asks the county to evaluate strategies to improve traffic safety in and around the community of Fairwood.

July 16, 2024
Council approves $178 million supplemental budget, with funding to address housing, gun violence, traffic patrols, more
The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $178 million supplemental budget, with funding for housing assistance, increased traffic patrols, addressing gun violence, food security, transportation and more.

June 5, 2024
Comp plan update clears key vote, enters housing-focused phase ahead of final vote late this year
A once-a-decade update to the King County Comprehensive Plan cleared a key hurdle Wednesday as it winds its way toward final approval later this year.

May 14, 2024
$20/hour minimum wage approved by Council
The King County Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to a proposal that will, once implemented, boost the minimum wage in unincorporated King County to just over $20 per hour.

April 2, 2024
Council chooses Ricardo Polintan to fill Valley Medical Center board vacancy
The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously appointed Ricardo “Rick” Polintan to fill a vacant seat on the Valley Medical Center (Public Hospital District No. 1) Commission.

March 28, 2024
Upthegrove applauds ruling halting logging over climate impacts
Councilmember Dave Upthegrove released a statement Thursday in response to the King County Superior Court ruling that a proposed timber sale northeast of Seattle would violate the State Environmental Policy Act.

February 29, 2024
Upthegrove sends letter to DNR in support of 300-acre forest preservation
King Council Chair Dave Upthegrove on Tuesday sent a letter to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources concurring with the preservation of nearly 300 acres of forest land on Tiger Mountain. The letter followed a unanimous vote by the King County Council authorizing Upthegrove to send the letter on behalf of the Council. 

February 27, 2024
Council recognizes DCHS Director Leo Flor for 'visionary leadership'
The King County Council on Tuesday recognized DCHS Director Leo Flor for his work shepherding the department through the pandemic and beyond.

February 13, 2024
KCTV launches improved streaming service, better access to past meetings
King County TV last week rolled out a new homepage with a new, improved embedded livestream and quick access to videos of past meetings and other content.

January 23, 2024
Council seeks applicants for Valley Medical Center hospital district commissioner vacancy
The King County Council is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Valley Medical Center (Public Hospital District No. 1) Board of Commissioners. 

January 11, 2024
Elections oversight committee seeks new members
King County’s Citizens’ Election Oversight Committee is in the process of recruiting two new members, including representatives from the disability and Vietnamese communities.

January 9, 2024
Council approves new leadership, committee assignments for 2024
The King County Council on Tuesday approved its reorganization motion, which sets out Council leadership and committee assignments for the year. Councilmember Dave Upthegrove will remain chair of the Council in 2024, while Councilmembers Reagan Dunn and Girmay Zahilay will serve as vice chairs.