2008 Executive Office news releases

King County offices will be closed Jan. 1 for New Year’s and Jan. 2 for furlough
On Thursday, Jan. 1, all King County Buildings will be closed for the New Year’s holiday, followed by a closure on Friday, Jan. 2, for the first of 10 county furlough days next year. 

King County Executive Office moves to Chinook Building
The office and staff of King County Executive Ron Sims and the county Office of Management and Budget are moving this Friday, Dec. 12. Both offices will reopen Monday, Dec. 15 on the eighth floor of the county’s Chinook Building. 

Statement of King County Executive Ron Sims regarding Glacier Northwest construction
At 3:00 p.m. today, the King County Department of Development & Environmental Services is issuing a Notice to Proceed to Glacier Northwest for the construction of a barge loading facility on Maury Island. 

King County budget embraces Executive strategy
King County Executive Ron Sims is set to review and approve the budget voted on today by the Metropolitan King County Council. 

Brightwater tunnel boring machine sees the light, marking major project milestone
King County's Brightwater project reached a major milestone late last week as workers completed the first tunnel of the new wastewater treatment system's 13-mile conveyance system. 

King County Animal Shelter doubling in size
The sounds of construction are in the air outside of the King County animal shelter in Kent. Crews are installing two new large portable buildings alongside the current 37 year-old converted dairy barn, essentially doubling the space that will be made available for homeless cats. 

More congestion on key routes, more bus riders
With a few exceptions, most drivers in King County, are stuck in traffic more than they were 10 years ago. People who drive mornings between Bellevue and Redmond or evenings between Seattle and Seatac are among those lucky few with better commutes than a decade ago. 

Online form available for victims of flooding to report damages
King County residents and business owners who sustained damage from the recent storms and flooding are encouraged to report uninsured property damages online. This information will be collected to determine if a request for federal disaster assistance can be made. 

King County releases first performance scorecard
King County residents can now get an easy four-page performance scorecard to evaluate the effectiveness of county services. The scorecard highlights how well 20 key county programs are doing, what areas need improvement, and summarize the county's finances during 2007. 

Sims and union coalition reach tentative agreement on county budget
All King County employees, with the exception of essential safety and transit staff, would take ten days unpaid furlough in 2009 under the terms of an historic agreement reached today with the King County Union Coalition to help with the unprecedented $93.4 million 2009 budget deficit.