January 23, 2018

New department would serve unincorporated King County

King County Executive Dow Constantine on Monday proposed combining the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review with various other county functions to create the Department of Local Services.

The new department would focus on the needs of unincorporated areas such as Redmond Ridge, East Federal Way, Fairwood and East Renton, North Highline, Skyway, White Center and West Hill.

“The quarter-million people who live in unincorporated King County make up what would be the state's second-largest city, with its own particular challenges and priorities,” said Constantine in a news release.

“The Department of Local Services will improve how we provide direct and contracted services, including roads, public safety, clean water, and access to opportunity,” he said. “The department director will have a seat on my cabinet to ensure we bring a focus on performance and accountability to all that we do for the residents of unincorporated King County.”

Other departments that could become part of Local Services are the road services and airport divisions of the Department of Transportation; the Community Service Area program of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks; and the on-site septic system, and plumbing and gas piping programs of the Environmental Health Division of Public Health-Seattle & King County.

Harold Taniguchi, director of the King County Department of Transportation, will manage the transition.

“We will be reaching out to residents of unincorporated King County to get their insights on how we can improve customer service and develop accountability and performance measures to better serve them,” Taniguchi said. “As we navigate our way through this process, we will be working closely with our valued employees and their respective unions to ensure a smooth and positive transition.”

Constantine wants the new department to begin operations on Jan. 1, 2019, the same date he wants Metro Transit to become a standalone department.

Existing revenues would fund the new department.