King County Local

Katie Merrell greets each project that crosses her desk with a wealth of experience, patience, and curiosity. After over 25 years of working as an Environmental Engineer in the King County Roads Environmental Unit, Katie has touched many of the major projects that keep King County green, responsible, and resourceful.  

She began at King County Roads in 1999 after graduating from the University of Washington. Though her role has evolved over the years, she works diligently to coordinate, communicate, and serve as a liaison on projects to keep them moving forward and in compliance. Her work relies on her expertise in environmental regulations as well as an unparalleled desire to conquer challenges. From the mundane to marine mammal monitoring and water quality, to chinook salmon stewardship and so many more, Katie has truly had her hands in everything. 

“Follow the *red* brick road!”

In 1913, a 1.3-mile stretch of road in unincorporated King County just outside of Redmond, Washington was paved with thousands of red bricks – a whole 26 years before the Wizard of Oz delivered those famed lyrics in theaters.

Warmer days are on the horizon and so is Roads’ bustling construction season.

Longer days and dry weather make for a perfect roadwork combination, so our crews work hard to complete projects during the summer before the weather turns gray and wet again.  

With tons of concerts and events happening throughout the Snoqualmie River Valley, we want to make sure that you stay informed.  

Editor’s note: In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Local Services is highlighting some of the amazing members of its Roads team.

“Love your job and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

The phrase that may seem like a pipe dream to many is the path that Dieu Quach secured for herself as a design engineer with King County Road Services, over thirty years ago.

As a child, Dieu aspired to become a teacher, but her skills in math and science led her to earn an engineering degree and later begin her career with Roads in 1992. Her love of teaching never exhausted, even while working as a full-time engineer and mother. She began volunteering as a tutor in physics and math at the UW in her free time, and still does today.

King County Local Services is excited to welcome Mo Fisk, our new Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager!

Mo will be working with the Road Services and Permitting Divisions, as well as the Director’s Office, to support our equity, racial and social justice efforts in all spaces.

It’s always good when we get to share our passion with the next generation of world changers!

Last month, Participatory Budgeting Program Manager Gloria Briggs got the chance to do exactly that. Gloria delivered a presentation on the Local Services’ Participatory Budgeting program to students involved in the University of Washington’s School of Social Work.

This was Gloria’s second invitation to speak to the What, Why and How of this community-focused program.

King County’s Participatory Budgeting is going to be busy in the coming months.

Last year, the effort’s steering committee established the program’s framework to determine how to allocate nearly $11.75 million among five urban unincorporated areas. In the following months, the Participatory Budgeting team solicited ideas for projects and improvements that residents would like to see in their community.

King County Executive Dow Constantine this week appointed John Taylor as the new director for the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, selecting a proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and manage one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.

King County Local Services is wrapping up our fifth year of delivering government services to unincorporated parts of King County. 

As the region continued to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams worked to empower residents, help businesses thrive, help communities plan for their future, and help fish return to our creeks and streams. 

Here are some of our top accomplishments in 2023: