King County Wants Input from Residents in Unincorporated Areas

Editor's Note: The following is a press release issued by King County on Tuesday.

King County is holding four regional workshops to solicit unincorporated area resident input to create the Community Service Area Boundaries as part of the unincorporated area public engagement framework process. This process will create community service areas to provide opportunities for public engagement by all residents of the County’s unincorporated areas. 

Community Service Area Boundary Workshops 
Hours, Dates, and Locations 
6:30 to 7:00 pm – Open House 
7:00 to 8:00 pm – Community Service Area Boundary Workshop 

• Tuesday, November 29: King County Federal Way Library, 848 S. 320th Street, at 8th Avenue South, Federal Way (Directions)  
• Wednesday, November 30: Hobart Community Church, 27524 SE 200th Street, at 276th Avenue SE, Maple Valley (Directions)
• Tuesday, December 6: Tolt Middle School, 3740 Tolt Avenue, Carnation (Directions) 
• Wednesday, December 7: Enumclaw Field House (Pete’s Pool), 1400 Roosevelt Avenue E. (State Highway 410) (Directions)  

Within each Community Service Area, King County will: 
• Identify a primary point of contact for residents, 
• Assign an interdepartmental team to provide seamless and coordinated service delivery, 
• Broadly advertise and host public meetings at least once each year, 
• Provide opportunities for residents to interact with King County elected officials, and 
• Annually develop a community work program, in collaboration with residents.

For more information contact the Project Team: 

• Marissa Alegria, Community Service Representative, 206-205-1003, marissa.alegria@kingcounty.gov 
• Bong StoDomingo, Community Service Representative, 206-296-3325, bong.stodomingo@kingcounty.gov 
• Julia Larson, Public Engagement Project Manager, julia.larson@kingcounty.gov 

Background 
King County serves as the local government for residents of unincorporated areas. 
• In adopting the 2011 budget, the County Council directed the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget to develop a new approach for engaging with residents in unincorporated areas. 
• In April 2011, Executive Constantine submitted legislation to the King County Council to create a “robust public engagement program that informs, involves and empowers people and communities” throughout the unincorporated areas. 
• In July 2011, the King County Council passed an ordinance establishing a new framework for public engagement in unincorporated areas. With guidance from the County’s strategic plan, the County is creating Community Service Areas to represent all unincorporated residents and communities. 
• The Executive’s Office, through its Performance, Strategy and Budget Office is leading implementation of this new framework, which will include extensive involvement from unincorporated area residents and organizations.

Outreach and Engagement Plan Highlights 
• Community Service Areas that together cover all of unincorporated King County and that will serve as the foundation for participation, engagement and access to County programs and services. 
• Interdepartmental teams to provide seamless and coordinated service delivery. 
• Annual work plans for each area will be supported by existing staff from across the spectrum of County departments and programs. 
• Annual meetings in each Community Service Area, with follow-up meetings as needed. 
• Unincorporated Area Grant Program to support community-based projects and activities. 
• Website with resources and information for residents and organizations.

Next Steps 
November-December 2011 
• Initiate work on a Community Service Area website. 
• Obtain input from unincorporated residents and organizations on Community Service Area boundaries, annual work plans, annual meetings, and grant program. 
January-February 2012 
• Develop three potential Community Service Area boundary alternatives. 
• Obtain input on the boundary alternatives, annual work plans, annual meetings, and grant program. 
March 2012 
• Finalize all elements of implementation plan. 
Spring 2012 
• Send implementation plan to the King County Council. 
Summer-Fall 2012 
• Develop annual work plans for all Community Service Areas. 
• Hold annual meetings. 
• Initiate grant program.