Summary

Story

On Friday, February 13, 2009, most King County staff will be off and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the second of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exception, such as those in public safety functions, are included in the furlough plan. All King County offices will also be closed on Monday, February 16 for the Presidents’ Day holiday.

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)
• 2 nd floor of the North District Multi-Service Center
• Health Point portion of the Federal Way Public Health Facility
• The Community Psychiatric Clinic at the North Public Health Center.
• 1 st floor of Yesler Building (half day)
• 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.

Many King County services are available online during the furlough. You can license your vehicle, search for a new pet, get information about applying for disaster relief, pay property taxes,  or plan your trip on metro transit.

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 on the 10 furlough days with King County union leaders in October as part of a plan 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 as part of its 2009 budget process.

The proposed furlough days fall next to existing 2009 holidays or weekends and were strategically chosen to limit impacts on the public who depend on King County services.  The selected furlough days tend to have the fewest phone calls and requests for service.

2009 King County Furlough Days are:

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009
Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
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

Furlough day services and changes

On Friday, Feb. 13 Metro Transit buses will operate on a regular schedule,  but there will be a reduced weekday schedule in effect for Metro service on Monday, Feb. 16 for the Presidents Day holiday. The Metro Customer Information Office and phone line (206-553-3000) will be closed both Friday and Monday. See Metro Online at for details.

King County ’s Boeing Field Terminal Building and regular aviation operations will be open as usual on Friday and Monday.

The county’s Department of Judicial Administration, and Superior Court will be open as normal. District Court will run with limited staffing and there will be no probation services. The Office of the Public Defender will provide service to the courts that are open.

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 Transfer stations will be closed. For garbage collection, residents can contact   their hauler  for details.

King County Crisis and Commitment Services and the Emergency Service Patrol 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 Presidents Day and furlough day, but staff and volunteers will be on hand to care for the animals.

Learn more about  the furlough or budget.