The first cost-savings cut in the proposed 2009 budget will come from King County Executive Ron Sims' office. Savings of nearly $4 million are possible from Executive Sims' recommendation to maximize use of county property and consolidate more functions into the county's new Chinook Building. The building's vacant 8th floor would be put to use and leases for space in the Columbia Center would be terminated this December under the proposal.

While scrutinizing county-owned property for savings during the 2009 budget process, Executive staff found that a small special projects group could be moved out of the one-year-old, 13-story Chinook Building to increase space efficiency and cut costs. Additionally, growth in staff for other county functions did not materialize, leaving the remainder of the 8th floor of the Chinook Building available for staff to relocate from privately leased space. County policy requires use of county-owned space for departments wherever possible to realize cost-savings and work efficiency.

"We are renting space we don't need while we are paying the mortgage for the Chinook Building that has a vacant floor," said Sims. "Dollar-wise and policy-wise, this is a smart move. Even if we didn't have a projected $90 million budget deficit in 2009, this move makes sense."

In 2006, the Council passed an ordinance naming the departments that would occupy the Chinook Building and directing the Executive to renew his lease in Columbia Center and cancel his 2006 plans to locate his offices in the Chinook Building. Sims emphasized his current cost-saving proposal is a temporary move while the long-term goal remains to co-locate with the Metropolitan County Council.

King County Councilmembers Larry Gossett and Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer are co-sponsoring the legislation that is being transmitted this week.

"This is a sound decision that can potentially deliver millions in savings and efficiencies at a time when the County is facing a huge deficit," said Gossett. "As a ‘no' vote when this legislation first came before this Council, I thought forcing the Executive to stay in the Columbia Center was not an economically sound decision. I commend the Executive for this proposal."

"In these tight economic times every dollar of savings is crucial," said von Reichbauer. "A dollar saved is a dollar we can use to fill the growing budget deficit without going back to the taxpayers at a time when families and businesses are struggling to get by."

Earlier this year, Sims announced a moratorium on $70 million in non-urgent capital projects for a savings of $7 million in debt payments over three years. Budget and office space analysts project a net $3.88 million in savings over five years if the Executive's office move proposal is implemented, including termination of the lease for 26,000 square feet of space on the 32nd and 20th floors of Columbia Center and moving into a similar amount of space at the Chinook Building.

The $3.88 million net savings (after moving expenses) from this proposal would include $2.05 million savings in the General Fund over five years. The projected General Fund deficit for 2009 is $90 million.

The Executive Office, which includes the Office of Management and Budget, Business Relations and Economic Development and Department of Executive Services Director's Office, moved to the Columbia Center in 2002 while the Courthouse underwent a seismic retrofit. After construction was completed, the Executive's former Courthouse space was assigned to the County Prosecutor to consolidate his staff from leased space.

"This $400,000 a year can be better used for vital services such as criminal justice and public health," Sims said. "This will save us money and put us closer to the courthouse while we continue to work on the long term goal to place both the council and executive offices in the same building."

The Executive Office must give notice by November 30 to Columbia Center that it is terminating its lease and is transmitting the ordinance ahead of the 2009 Proposed Budget. Given the short timeframe for the move, space in the building is being prepared for staff to move in late December. If the Council does not approve the move, the improvements will make the space more appealing to prospective outside tenants.

The 13-story Chinook Office Building has a capacity of over 1,400 employees. It was developed for King County by Wright Runstad & Company using a non-profit/private/public partnership model.

It is in the process of seeking a Gold LEED rating for the building core and shell, which includes the structure and the HVAC system and a LEED Platinum certification for the interior spaces. LEED designations on new buildings certify green interiors that are healthy places to work; are less costly to operate and maintain; and have a reduced environmental footprint.

The Chinook Building's green features include a green roof which covers 75% of the roof area and collects water used to irrigate the landscaping, low emitting and low VOC adhesives, sealants, paint and primer material used in construction, Green Label carpet, and sensor-equipped lighting that automatically steps down in brightness if it senses more natural daylight.

Related information

• Chinook opening
• About Chinook
• Sims offers to save the county money by moving his own office, Seattle Times
• Sims proposes moving office from Columbia Center, Seattle Post Intelligencer
• King County struggles with ways to patch $90 million deficit, KOMO News