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22

Communities to decide which projects will receive public funding during Aug. 2-10 voting period

Archived news release

This news release from a previous year is provided as a courtesy. Links and other information that were current when it was published may no longer be working or accurate. For up-to-date information, see our current newsroom or reach out to the media contact listed below.

AUGUST 1, 2022

SUMMARY

In a first for King County, residents of five urban unincorporated areas can vote on which proposed community projects should receive public funding Aug. 2-10. Residents can cast their votes online or in person at one of several community events.

STORY

It’s time to vote! Five urban unincorporated communities will get the chance to decide which proposed community projects will happen as part of King County’s first Participatory Budgeting process.

From Aug. 2-10, anyone who lives, works, owns a business, receives services, goes to school, or worships in the following unincorporated areas can cast their vote to fund projects in their community — projects that were proposed and developed by community members.

  • East Federal Way
  • East Renton
  • Fairwood
  • North Highline/White Center
  • Skyway/West Hill

Community members will be able to vote online or at one of several in-person community events.

How to vote

Votes may be cast in one of two ways:

Tuesday, August 2

  • White Center: 6-8 p.m., Greenbridge (near Dubsea Coffee)
  • Fairwood: 1-4 p.m., Fairwood Library (17009 140th Avenue SE)

Thursday, August 4

  • Skyway: 4-7 p.m., Creston Point Apartments (13445 Martin Luther King Jr Way S)

Friday, August 5

  • East Federal Way: 5-8 p.m., Lake Geneva Park (34429 46th Avenue S)

Saturday, August 6

  • East Renton: Noon to 4 p.m., QFC (4800 NE 4th Street)

“From the start, the Participatory Budgeting process was built on community strengths and insight to address specific priorities, chosen and supported by the residents of these communities,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “Now it’s time for community members to directly decide how to spend these investments in capital projects and have a direct hand in building our future together.”

More on participatory budgeting

In 2021, the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s new approach to community investment – one that’s centered on racial equity. It gives people who live, work, play, or worship in the county’s five urban unincorporated areas the chance to directly choose how more than $11 million is spent in their communities.

Participatory budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services.

The Community Investment Budget Committee, a group of appointed residents from King County’s urban unincorporated areas, met virtually to create the framework for the new participatory budgeting process.

Where does the money come from?

The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue.

Learn more: www.publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice

QUOTES

  • Executive Dow Constantine: “From the start, the Participatory Budgeting process was built on community strengths and insight to address specific priorities, chosen and supported by the residents of these communities. Now it’s time for community members to directly decide how to spend these investments in capital projects and have a direct hand in building our future together.”
  • Local Services Director John Taylor: “This vote is the culmination of countless hours of work by community members and Local Services staff to create something tangible that benefits the urban unincorporated areas. I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how, without a blueprint, the folks involved in this process created something that will have a lasting impact. This is a great example of how, when working hand-in-hand with community, we can create something truly special.”
  • Participatory Budgeting Program Manager Gloria Briggs: “I am so humbled that we are at this point – we are bringing ‘THE BIG PB VOTE’ to unincorporated areas of King County. After a year of co-designing with community members from these five areas, it is exciting to see all of the unique and transformative project ideas on an actual ballot. A lot of these ideas would have never surfaced had we done business as usual. Through community led outreach efforts, we were able to engage communities that, historically, have not been represented. This is something of which I am truly proud.”
  • Trenise Rogers, East Federal Way Co-Chair, Community Investment Budget Committee: “When I look at the scope of the transformational accomplishments that have been produced as a result of this work, I am overwhelmed with joy. I am blessed and humbled to have had the opportunity to work with a team of exceptional and brilliant individuals. We have, undoubtedly, changed the outlook on collective consciousness and how to use your voice as a proponent for systemic change. I hope that this process will continue to highlight and adequately address several key deficiencies in many of our communities throughout unincorporated King County.”

LINKS

MEDIA CONTACT

Brent Champaco, Department of Local Services, brent.champaco@kingcounty.gov, 206‑477‑9094

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