November 2008
In this newsletter:
• Election information – Remember to vote!
• King County Budget update
• Flood Control District update
• Code Enforcement audit
• Permit fee amnesty
• Save energy and money this winter
• Proclamations
Dear District 3 residents,
The fall is a busy and challenging time for the King County Council as we strive to build a balanced budget for next year.
Election information – Remember to vote!
Remember to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Here are some election resources:
• Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. More information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/pollingplaces.aspx.
• Absentee ballots must be signed and postmarked or delivered to the King County Elections Office by Election Day. For more information, go to www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/absentee.aspx.
• Ballots also may be returned to any polling place, or can be dropped off at one of 10 drop boxes located around the county. The drop box serving District 3 is located at the Fall City Library. For the complete list, go to www.kingcounty.gov/elections/voting/ballotdropboxes.aspx.
• If you did not receive an absentee ballot in the mail, check the Voter Guide Lookup at www.metrokc.gov/elections/voterlookup.aspx to verify that you are registered and eligible to vote in the election. You also can find your polling place here http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200811/pollingplaces.pdf, or you can cast a provisional ballot at any polling place.
• For any election questions, contact the King County Elections Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays at (206) 296-VOTE (8683) or e-mail elections@kingcounty.gov.
King County Budget update
As King County faces its biggest budget challenge ever – a projected $93 million shortfall for 2009 – I have heard from hundreds of citizens by phone, by letter, by e-mail and at five public hearings about their priorities for funding. The shortfall is caused by several problems related to the economy, including this year’s large increases in the cost of living, declining sales tax revenue, higher fuel prices and the national banking crisis. An important factor is the structural budget gap between revenues and the cost of salaries, benefits and other expenses that increase more than the revenue King County collects every year.
This year, I am serving as vice chair of the operating and capital budget review and adoption panels. We have only six weeks to review and revise the budget proposal after it was transmitted by the executive on Oct. 13. Many cuts and many moving parts make this the most difficult budget I’ve ever seen. Legally, we must honor the contracts with employees, while also finding innovative ways to save money. I am concerned about the proposed cuts to public health and safety, and especially how they disproportionately affect local government services in unincorporated areas. I hope you will participate in this important process to prioritize expenses by submitting your thoughts in writing, online or in person at the final public hearing before the Council:
Monday, November 10
11:00 a.m., Sign-in begins at 10:30 a.m.
King County Council Chambers
516 Third Ave., 10th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Adoption of the final budget for 2009 is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24. You can submit your comments directly to the Council online at www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget/Testify_Online.aspx.
Flood Control District update
On Nov. 17, the King County Flood
Control District will review the plan about how flood district funds will be
used next year. Testimony about the flood district plan can be submitted any
time to King County Councilmembers, who also serve as the Flood Control
District Board of Supervisors. Before the board votes on the 2009 flood
district funding plan on Monday, Nov. 17, a public hearing will be held
at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the King County Courthouse, 516
Third Ave., 10th Floor, Seattle. More information is available at www.kingcounty.gov/council/flood_district.aspx.
Code Enforcement audit
An amazing and very straightforward report was presented to the Council on Oct. 20 by the King County Auditor. The audit report says the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) has many areas requiring improvements in its Code Enforcement section, and needs to take steps to improve its relationship with King County property owners. This audit validates many of the ongoing concerns that residents of the unincorporated area have shared with me about inconsistency in dealing with and communicating about compliance actions. We need to make sure that the recommendations from this and previous audits will be implemented soon. I expect our Code Enforcement Office to provide the best customer service that helps citizens to understand and comply with the law, rather than just punishing or fining them.
Among the audit’s recommendations are:
• Improve the consistency and openness of Code Enforcement’s practices by increasing the Section’s communication efforts about its policies and procedures, including the development of educational materials about the Code Enforcement process,
• Improve the accountability and strengthen the department’s oversight of Code Enforcement,
• Improve the Section’s records management and performance reporting practices, and
• Develop a strategic plan that articulates the priorities of Code Enforcement and enables the Section to monitor its success in meeting its goals.
The full audit report is available online at www.metrokc.gov/auditor/2008/CodeEnforRpt.pdf.
Permit fee amnesty
Property owners with unapproved construction or clearing and grading activity can retroactively get the work permitted without paying a penalty during a fee amnesty period this winter. The Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) is offering the amnesty for unpermitted activities that occurred before Oct. 1. A permit application must be filed before April 1, 2009. The standard permit fee will be charged, instead of the double permit fee that usually is charged for unauthorized construction activities. The intent of the amnesty program is to protect public health, homeowner safety and the environment by encouraging property owners to complete the permit process to ensure that construction and grading activity meets safety standards. To find out more about the amnesty program and filing an application for a permit, contact DDES at (206) 296-6600 or at ddeswebinquiries@kingcounty.gov and ask about Already-Built Construction (ABC) permits.
Save energy and money this winter
Residential and business customers of Puget Sound Energy can save energy and money this winter with more than 80 rebate and grant programs. For homeowners, up to $2,200 in PSE support is available for energy-efficient upgrades to their residences, such as improved insulation, a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump, tankless water heater, and premium efficiency clothes washer. Additional rebates are available for compact fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures. For businesses, PSE support can amount to as much as 70 percent of the cost of installing energy-efficient lighting, heating and other improvements. For more information, visit www.pse.com.
Proclamations
Recently, I was proud to sponsor two Council proclamations recognizing important aspects of our community.
As a member of the King County Domestic Violence Council, I joined Board of Health Chair Julia Patterson in proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Council recognized our partners in law enforcement and community service providers who help the victims of domestic violence. Among women, domestic violence is the leading cause of death in the workplace. It is important to encourage survivors as well as raising awareness about the continuing threat of domestic violence.
Also in October, we presented a proclamation to the King County Landmarks Commission in honor of Washington State Archaeology Month, recognizing the work of University of Washington archaeologist Dr. Robert Greengo in excavating and researching the Marymoor prehistoric archaeology site. Occupied over a period of thousands of years, the site at Marymoor Park in Redmond has significantly advanced the understanding of Native American heritage in King County and was one of the first archaeological sites in the county to be scientifically investigated. Included below is a photo from the presentation of the proclamation.
Dr. Greengo (center) and members of the Landmarks
Commission at an Archaeology Month event at Clise Mansion in Marymoor Park.
As always, King County Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on KCTV Channel 22, or by online streaming video at www.metrokc.gov/ctv/
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Yes, that’s only 24 days away!)
Sincerely,
Kathy Lambert
District 3
(206) 296-1003