King County offices closed April 10 for furlough

April 9, 2009

Summary

On Friday, April 10, 2009, most King County staff will be off and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the third 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.

Story

On Friday, April 10, 2009, most King County staff will be off and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the third 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)
• 2nd floor of the North District Multi-Service Center
• The Community Psychiatric Clinic at the North Public Health Center
• The Health Point clinic at the Federal Way Public Health Center
• 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.

King County Executive Ron Sims reached agreement with King County union leaders on the furlough plan in October to reduce county operating costs and close the unprecedented $93.4 million 2009 budget gap King County faced this year. The Metropolitan King County Council ratified the plan in its 2009 budget process.

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, April 10, 2009
• Friday, May 22, 2009
• Friday, June 19, 2009
• Monday, July 6, 2009
• Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
• Monday, Oct. 12, 2009
• Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
• Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009

Additional furlough day services and changes

The Metro Customer Information Office and phone line (206-553-3000) will be closed. Riders should use the online Trip Planner instead.

The Fourth Avenue entrance to the King County Courthouse will be closed. The public may enter from the Third Avenue entrance.

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

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.

For additional details, see the County's complete list of facilities and their furlough-related open or closed status.