New director named to lead King County Customer Service

Stable source of funding and reforms for Metro Transit urged by regional task force
A 28-member task force representing a broad coalition of transit stakeholders from throughout the region has unanimously agreed on key recommendations that include working with the Legislature on a more stable source of funding for public transit, and setting priorities that guide how decisions are made on service reductions or service growth.

More than 90 percent of all King County employees would forgo COLA for 2011 under new proposal
More than 90 percent of all King County employees would be joining to waive their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2011 under a proposal from King County Executive Dow Constantine to freeze the COLA of all non-represented employees.

King County and Metro’s transit union reach tentative agreement on new three-year contract that includes no cost-of-living increase for the first year
King County Executive Dow Constantine and the leadership of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, which represents approximately 3,800 Metro employees, today announced they have reached tentative agreement on a new three-year contract that includes no wage increases or cost-of-living adjustment in the first year.

King County Sheriff’s captains and court protection marshals vote to forgo COLA for 2011
Two unions representing captains and court protection marshals in the King County Sheriff’s office have agreed to forgo their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year, as a result of negotiations guided by King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Second Open Data Workshop brings together developers and local government to foster innovation
Software developers and interested residents in King County are being asked to help shape the future of the open data web site at www.kingcounty.gov/opendata. Tomorrow, King County will host the second countywide workshop on open data, bringing together local innovators, King County staff and City of Seattle staff to review the current open data website and discuss additions, changes and support models.

Reconstruction or replacement of County’s roads and bridges needed, according to new Roads strategic plan
A new assessment of King County's transportation infrastructure in the unincorporated areas shows that between 30 to 40 percent of the roads are at risk of failure over the next decade, and that over the next three decades more than 28 bridges will need to be closed if they aren't replaced.

Inquest ordered into fatal shooting of Ariel Rosenfeld by Seattle police officer
King County Executive Dow Constantine today ordered an inquest into the shooting death of Ariel Rosenfeld by a Seattle police officer on Aug. 16. Rosenfeld was fatally shot at his workplace at the QFC in Wedgwood after police attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant.

Executive Proposed Budget embraces principles of government transparency
King County residents who want to better understand the county’s $5 billion budget will find new, easier to navigate charts and spreadsheets just a click away online. For the first time, the same budget materials used by Executive Dow Constantine and the County Council in their budget deliberations are available to the public in an easy, downloadable format on the County budget website.

Theme: Hard Times; struggles setbacks and recovery in Washington
The King County Archives, the official repository of historical county government records, will host an open house as a celebration to recognize Archives Month, 2010.

Executive’s budget reform message cited by Wall Street in reaffirming King County’s top AAA credit rating
Reforms and efficiencies outlined last month by King County Executive Dow Constantine as part of his 2011 proposed budget have been cited by major rating agencies as reasons for reaffirming their top AAA credit ratings on a refunding sale of county Unlimited Tax General Obligation bonds.

Constantine congratulates Senator Murray for her leadership to help secure $34 million TIGER II grant that completes financing for new South Park Bridge
King County Executive Dow Constantine and members of the Metropolitan King County Council today thanked and congratulated U.S. Senator Patty Murray for her leadership in helping to secure the final funding needed to replace the closed South Park Bridge – culminating years of planning and, and more recently, a show of financial support from local partners.

King County receives half-million dollar federal grant for sustainable development that will spur local jobs
King County residents will be able to save money and travel more easily between home, work, school, and shopping, as a result of a $5 million federal grant awarded today to develop several new, sustainable Transit-Oriented Development projects in the region.

Constantine congratulates Senator Murray for her leadership in securing $34 million TIGER II grant that completes financing for new South Park Bridge
King County Executive Dow Constantine and members of the Metropolitan King County Council today thanked and congratulated U.S. Senator Patty Murray for her leadership in helping to secure the final funding needed to replace the closed South Park Bridge – culminating years of planning and, and more recently, a show of financial support from local partners.

King County corrections and detention officers vote to forgo COLA for 2011
Two unions representing 700 King County corrections officers today announced their ratification of an agreement to forgo their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year, as a result of negotiations guided by King County Executive Dow Constantine. The employees work in both adult and juvenile detention, representing a critical part of the County’s criminal justice system.

King County corrections and detention officers vote to forgo COLA for 2011
Two unions representing 700 King County corrections officers today announced their ratification of an agreement to forgo their cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for next year, as a result of negotiations guided by King County Executive Dow Constantine. The employees work in both adult and juvenile detention, representing a critical part of the County’s criminal justice system.

Experienced criminal justice professional and regional leader named as director of King County corrections
King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) has a new director with deep experience in corrections and extensive regional ties. Executive Dow Constantine today appointed Bellevue resident and City Councilmember Claudia Balducci to lead the department.

Inquest ordered into shooting death of David Young by Federal Way police officer
King County Executive Dow Constantine today ordered an inquest into the shooting death of David Young by a Federal Way police officer on August 31, 2010. Mr. Young was fatally shot in connection with a police investigation of a stolen vehicle.

Inquest ordered into shooting death of John T. Williams by Seattle police officer

Natural Resources and Parks director, and chief information officer confirmed by Council
King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the King County Council for confirming his appointment of Christie True to lead his Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and confirming Bill Kehoe to serve as the county's Chief Information Officer and director of the Office of Information Resource Management.