Unions for more than 4,700 King County employees tentatively agree to forego cost-of-living for 2011
Unions representing approximately 6,000 King County employees have agreed to a zero percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) next year as a result of labor negotiations guided by King County Executive Dow Constantine and representatives from the King County Coalition of Unions. If approved by union members, the tentative agreement could mean about $8 million in salary savings countywide.

"A Reset to New Realities:" Executive’s 2011 Budget Address
"To achieve these ends, to protect these values, the people of King County need a government that is restored to sound financial footing – not one lurching from crisis to crisis. It is a budget that calls not merely for muddling through another year of cuts, but for efficiencies that can be sustained over time, so that we can stabilize county finances and provide the services the people of King County need."

Executive proposes 3 percent annual efficiencies to sustain King County budget over the long term
Protecting critical public safety services while creating efficiencies and making sustainable funding adjustments are the hallmarks of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s 2011 Proposed Executive Budget, submitted to the County Council today. The proposed budget cuts 462 positions and most, though not all, are in General Fund agencies. The figure does not include additional reductions to be determined by Council agencies, or in the Roads Division, whose mid-biennial budget adjustment will be submitted in mid-October. With those included, more than 500 positions are likely to be eliminated in the 2011 budget.

Executive proposed budget to include nearly $4 million in cuts to services provided by Prosecutor
In order to help close a $60 million shortfall in the general fund, the cuts to be proposed by the King County Executive in his 2011 budget will include a reduction of $3.9 million from the King County Prosecutor's office – the equivalent of 33 full-time positions, including 22 deputy prosecutors and 11 staff.

Executive launches King County Open Data Project for easier access to public information
Residents now have easier access to King County data for research and application development with today’s launch of the King County Open Data website, an online initiative to promote transparency and open government.

Executive’s 2011 budget will call for a new fixed-fee model to provide certainty to applicants for King County building permits
Residents who seek permits for a number of common construction and development-related projects will now know up-front how much to budget for their project under a newly-developed fee structure at the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES). The changes shift the department’s practice of billing by the hour to the more customer-focused flat-fee approach.

King County leaders: Life of Roberto Maestas was an inspiration to all
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Larry Gossett today joined county residents in mourning the loss of Roberto Maestas, the longtime leader of the community organization El Centro de la Raza.

Executive proposed budget cuts the last of human services in the county’s General Fund
In order to help close a $60 million shortfall in the General Fund, the cuts to be proposed by the King County Executive in his 2011 budget next week will include elimination of all remaining General Fund support for human services. The proposed budget will eliminate $850,000 for the last two human service programs remaining in the General Fund – those supporting survivors of domestic violence and victims of sexual assault.

Constantine unveils commitments for more than 125 electric vehicle charging stations throughout King County
With the arrival this fall of the nation’s first mass-produced, commercially-available electric vehicles, King County Executive Dow Constantine today unveiled commitments for more than 125 new electric plug-in stations in the county. The stations will support the hundreds of new electric plug-in vehicles now being purchased by both the public and government agencies all across the region.

New “over-the-counter” permitting at DDES will enable walk-in, one-day service beginning Oct. 18
The weeks-long wait for review of many environmental and building permits in King County will soon be a thing of the past. Beginning Monday, October 18, the county’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) will provide expedited, one-day or “over the counter” review processes for many permit types.

Executive calls for reducing scheduled rate increases paid by cities to house their inmates in King County jails
Twenty-four local cities that house their inmates in King County jails would see a much smaller rate increase next year, under a proposed ordinance sent today to the King County Council by County Executive Dow Constantine.

Executive proposed budget to include more than $7 million in cuts to services provided by Sheriff
In order to help close a $60 million shortfall in the general fund, the cuts to be proposed by the King County Executive in his 2011 budget will include a reduction of $7.2 million from the King County Sheriff’s office – the equivalent of 71 full-time positions.

Inmate dies in custody at King County Jail
A man being held on a fugitive warrant from the state of Florida died in the custody of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention yesterday afternoon, September 13, 2010, at Harborview Medical Center at 4:00 p.m.

County Executive proposes steps to advance fairness and opportunity in King County
The principles of equity and social justice will be closely integrated into the practices of all agencies and branches of King County government, under an ordinance proposed to the King County Council by King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Constantine completes tour of King County’s 39 cities and towns
When King County Executive Dow Constantine visits the town of Skykomish tomorrow [Tuesday], it will complete his schedule of visits to each of the County’s 39 incorporated cities and towns.

Constantine appoints Dylan Ordoñez to Executive Leadership Team
King County Executive Dow Constantine today appointed Dylan Ordoñez as coordinator of his Executive Leadership Team, which monitors the day-to-day operations of County government, anticipates needs, and addresses emergent issues.

Constantine named to board of leading local government association addressing climate change and sustainability
King County Executive Dow Constantine is among five government leaders from across the country named to the Board of Directors of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA, the leading local government association addressing climate change and sustainability.

King County celebrates 25 years of 9-1-1 service
King County celebrated 25 years of 9-1-1 service at a ceremony on Thursday to recognize youth heroes and educate residents about appropriate use of the emergency number. Four children who used quick, calm thinking and appropriately dialed 9-1-1 were on hand to receive special recognition.