Summary

After re-election by the largest margin of victory ever in a race for the County’s top office, King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined the accomplishments of the past year, and the past four years, that provide the foundation for the work that lies ahead.

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After re-election by the largest margin of victory ever in a race for the County’s top office, King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined the accomplishments of the past year, and the past four years, that provide the foundation for the work that lies ahead.

“With reforms that have put County government back on sound financial footing, we are now in a position to do something extraordinary,” said Executive Constantine. “Our goal is to be the most forward-looking, most efficient government in the United States – a government as innovative as the people and businesses of this region – and one that can advance prosperity through equity, social justice and global competitiveness.”

King County - 2013 Highlights from kcexec on Vimeo.

King County Connects - 2013 Year in Review from kcexec on Vimeo.

Among the Executive’s major accomplishments from 2013:

• Led the nation in enrolling uninsured residents in affordable healthcare.

• Created a regional initiative to map services for military veterans and their families, so that all 127,000 veterans in King County have a clear path to the benefits and support they have earned.
  
  
• Reached an agreement to conserve the largest piece of unprotected forestland remaining in King County, the 43,000 acres of the White River Forest near Enumclaw; saved historic Snoqualmie Valley farmland with purchase of the 191-acre “Tall Chief” property north of Fall City; and partnered with the Trust for Public Land to protect 216 acres from logging on Squak Mountain.

• Partnered with firearm retailers to promote safe storage of guns as a means of preventing deadly shootings – stemming from the Executive’s directive to develop innovative strategies to reduce gun violence through a data-driven, public health approach.

• Secured voter approval of both a King County Parks Levy and a levy for Emergency Medical Services/Medic One.

• Reached the energy efficiency goal of using or producing renewable energy equal to one half of County’s overall energy needs.

• Created a new Department of Public Defense in line with a legal settlement.

• Adopted a budget that includes reopening of the Maple Valley police precinct, to bring Sheriff’s deputies closer to the people they serve.

Executive Constantine and his staff were recognized with several awards in 2013, including:

• Seattle Business Magazine’s Leaders in Health Care Award for success in containing the cost of employee health care.

• Washington Business Alliance Good Government Check for strong executive leadership and managers at King County implementing modern business practices, such as Lean and strategic planning.

• Governor’s Smart Communities Award for the permanent protection of 43,000 acres of the White River Forest east of Enumclaw, completing a “green wall against sprawl.”

• American City & County Magazine's 2013 Crown Communities Award for the Executive’s procurement reforms that have increased small businesses opportunities while cutting in half the time for processing many of the contracts.

• Performance Measurement Award from the American Society for Public Administration for innovative management practices.

The Executive will outline his agenda for the coming year in his State of the County address, set for early February, 2014.

Thank you for a great 2013.

Watch this 2-minute video of highlights from 2013:

http://vimeo.com/82337284

And see a half-hour interview of Executive Constantine with public affairs host Enrique Cerna:

http://vimeo.com/82244112