Rick Brater confirmed as Director of Road Services Division

Road Services Division Director Rick Brater
Road Services Division Director Rick Brater. King County photo by Ned Ahrens.

The Metropolitan King County Council yesterday unanimously approved Rick Brater’s appointment to the Director of the Road Services Division, in which he has served on an interim basis since October 2018.

The Road Services Division operates as part of the county’s new Department of Local Services. Brater will continue to lead an agency that maintains 1,500 miles of roadway and 182 bridges in unincorporated King County. Road Services has nearly 400 employees and six maintenance divisions. Continue reading Rick Brater confirmed as Director of Road Services Division

County establishes 24-hour helpline, requests help to reach unincorporated residents isolated by winter storms

Snow covers a King County road near Enumclaw in February 2019.
King County photo by Brandy Rettig

Swaths of unincorporated King County continue to feel the effects of the unprecedented winter storms, which have left several rural communities buried in snow and without power.

The storms have created several challenges, particularly in the east portion of the county, where residents have limited or no road access in or out of their neighborhoods, and where many neighborhoods do not have power. Continue reading County establishes 24-hour helpline, requests help to reach unincorporated residents isolated by winter storms

Taniguchi: The end of an era means new beginnings

A head shot of Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi.

(Note: Below is an email that Director Harold Taniguchi sent to all Department of Transportation employees today)

Dear colleagues,

At the end of this month, the nearly quarter-century history of our King County Department of Transportation will come full circle. Continue reading Taniguchi: The end of an era means new beginnings

John Taylor Confirmed as Department of Local Services Director

King County Local Services Director John Taylor
King County Local Services Director John Taylor

The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday gave its unanimous approval to the appointment of John Taylor to lead the newly formed Department of Local Services that is set to begin operations at the beginning of the year. Taylor, appointed by County Executive Dow Constantine in October, now formally serves as the director of the department that will better coordinate and deliver direct services to the nearly 250,000 people who live in unincorporated King County. Continue reading John Taylor Confirmed as Department of Local Services Director

“Keeping things simple” with the new Deputy Director of Local Services

Newly appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Local Services Danielle de Clercq at her desk inside her Seattle office.

The newly appointed Deputy Director of the Department of Local Services adheres to a fundamental rule when working to solve problems.

Don’t complicate things. Continue reading “Keeping things simple” with the new Deputy Director of Local Services

John Parrott named director of King County International Airport

John Parrott (shown here), who has four decades of experience in the aviation industry, has been selected as the airport’s next director as part of a highly competitive, nationwide recruiting effort. Parrott will begin his duties on January 14, 2019.

(Re-posted from The Centerline)

King County International Airport-Boeing Field will have new leadership in the New Year. John Parrott, who has four decades of experience in the aviation industry, has been selected as the airport’s next director as part of a highly competitive, nationwide recruiting effort. Parrott will begin his duties on January 14, 2019. Continue reading John Parrott named director of King County International Airport

What adoption of the biennial King County Budget for the new Department of Local Services means for residents of unincorporated King County

table at Skyway-West Hill subarea plan open house

The biennial King County Budget adopted this month by the Metropolitan King County Council establishes the new King County Department of Local Services, as proposed by Executive Dow Constantine. Among the benefits that local residents can hope to see in 2019-2020 are: Continue reading What adoption of the biennial King County Budget for the new Department of Local Services means for residents of unincorporated King County

Planning land use and the built environment of Skyway-West Hill

attendees at Skyway-West Hill subarea plan open houseMany thanks to the residents and business owners of Skyway-West Hill who came to the subarea planning forum at Albert Talley High School on October 30. With more than 50 people in attendance, it was clear there is strong interest in the future look of this unincorporated area community between Seattle, Renton, and Tukwila.

Continue reading Planning land use and the built environment of Skyway-West Hill

John Taylor takes helm as inaugural director of Department of Local Services

John Taylor standing at microphone
John Taylor, inaugural director of the Department of Local Services

One day after being named the first director of a new King County department designed to exclusively serve residents of the unincorporated areas, John Taylor participated at a retreat for division leaders and outlined his vision for delivering outstanding local public services.

“There is currently no city hall for the residents of unincorporated King County, yet it’s in effect a city of 250,000 people,” he said. “Our goal is to give them that ‘city hall’ — a place they can get permits in a simple way, get their questions answered, and find out what other services are available to them.” Continue reading John Taylor takes helm as inaugural director of Department of Local Services

Executive details new Dept. of Local Services in proposed 2019-2020 budget

map of unincorporated King County

The new Department of Local Services, established by ordinance last week by the King County Council, is now part of the 2019-2020 King County budget which Executive Dow Constantine this week proposed to the Council.

Continue reading Executive details new Dept. of Local Services in proposed 2019-2020 budget