Executive outlines reforms of County government

Speech follows first 100 days in office

King County Executive Dow Constantine today presented a draft strategic plan for the County that calls for driving down the cost of government and improving services through innovative budget strategies, a culture of customer service, and a partnership with employees.

“The usual approach in government is to fund the same programs that were funded the year before. That approach funds effort,” said Constantine. “Our strategic plan says: focus on the results the public wants, then focus on the efforts that deliver those results.”

In a speech before members of the Metropolitan King County Council and other separately elected County officials, the Executive called for changing many of the ways that King County does business, in line with goals he set forth in a draft King County Strategic Plan that he sent to the Council today.

Related information “Blueprint for Reform” details strategies to make County government more efficient and drive down costs Executive Constantine's speech Strategic plan details Customer service Web site Constantine will also deliver his reform agenda in Bellevue and Maple Valley

In the news King County's Constantine off to a good start, Seattle Times Editorial Constantine: Streamline King Co. gov., cap spending in good years, Seattle Post Intelligencer Constantine: Limit county spending, ask voters for anything new, Seattle Times Labor cautiously optimistic about Constantine's plan, Seattle Post Intelligencer Constantine proposes County spending limits, Publicola King County Executive Plans to Streamline Government, KPLU King Co. exec. unveils 'blueprint for reform' , King 5 News Dow Constantine announces Countywide Strategic Plan, Highline Times

Executive Dow Constantine meets with Unincorporated Area Council Presidents

Executive Constantine and senior staff today had a very productive inaugural meeting with the presidents of the six Unincorportated Area Councils (UAC) in King County. They briefed the Executive both on community events, issues and concerns of residents within their respective UACs.

Executive Constantine was impressed at the range of activities that the UACs are involved in or sponsoring throughout the year that engage their communities, including music in the park, outdoor cinema nights in the summer, community clean-ups and restoration. The UAC presidents also brought forward concerns regarding traffic, sprawl, service provision, annexation and affordable housing. Two recurring themes were ensuring the County Executive recognized and appreciated the diversity of each UAC and that public safety was very important to them.

The meeting ended on a productive note, with the intent of working to find the most efficient way to communicate and engage as we move forward.

Constantine orders review of transit security policies

King County Executive Dow Constantine has ordered Metro Transit to review policies that restrict unarmed transit security guards from intervening physically in fights or other criminal activity, following a disturbing chain of events involving the assault and robbery of a teenage girl in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel on Jan. 28.

“Public safety is our top priority. I am appalled by the sight of uniformed guards standing by while a person was kicked and beaten,” said Executive Constantine. “I have ordered a full review of all operating polices that govern Metro’s contract with civilian security guards to determine what changes must be made. People have an expectation of safety when riding public transit, and we must take every measure we can to assure that.” Read more...