This HTML version of the King County Charter includes the 1997 amendments. It was prepared by the Charter Review Commission Office. Amendments to the original 1968 charter may be traced by noting the ordinance number(s) at the end of sections which have been amended. A chronological history of amendments is included at the end of this Charter.
PREAMBLE
ARTICLE 5 THE PERSONNEL SYSTEM
ARTICLE 9 TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
RESOLUTION Index to Charter Amendments
We, the people of King County, Washington, in order to form a more just and orderly government, establish separate legislative and executive branches, insure responsibility and accountability, enable effective citizen participation, preserve a healthy environment and secure the benefits of home rule and self-government, in accordance with the Constitution of the State of Washington, do adopt this charter. ARTICLE 1 POWERS OF THE COUNTYSection 110. General Powers. The county shall have all of the powers which it is possible for a home rule county to have under the state constitution. Section 120. Intergovernmental Relations. The county may, in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its functions and services, agree by contract or otherwise to participate jointly or in cooperation with any one or more other governments, governmental agencies, and municipal corporations, and to share the costs and responsibilities of such powers, functions and services. Section 130. Construction. The powers of the county granted by this charter shall be liberally construed, and the specific statement of particular powers shall not be construed as limiting the general powers. Reference to the state constitution and general law in this charter shall be construed as a continuing reference to them as they may be amended from time to time. This charter and the ordinances enacted hereunder shall supersede special and general laws which are inconsistent with the charter and ordinances to the extent permitted by the state constitution. Section 140. Name, Boundaries and County Seat. The name, boundaries and county seat of the county shall remain as they are on the date of the enactment of this charter until changed. Branch county offices may be established by ordinances. ARTICLE 2 THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHSection 210. Composition. The legislative branch shall be composed of the metropolitan county council. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) Section 220. The Metropolitan County Council. 220.10. Composition and Terms of Office. The metropolitan county council shall consist of thirteen members. The county shall be divided into thirteen districts, and one councilmember shall be nominated and elected by the voters of each district. The term of office of each councilmember shall be four years and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 220.20. Powers. The county council shall be the policy determining body of the county and shall have all legislative powers of the county under this charter. The county council shall exercise its legislative power by the adoption and enactment of ordinances; shall levy taxes, appropriate revenue and adopt budgets for the county; shall establish the compensation to be paid to all county officers and employees and shall provide for the reimbursement of expenses; except as otherwise provided herein shall have the power to establish, abolish, combine and divide administrative offices and executive departments and to establish their powers and responsibilities; shall adopt by ordinance comprehensive plans including improvement plans for the present and future development of the county; shall have the power to conduct public hearings on matters of public concern to assist it in performing its legislative responsibilities and to subpoena witnesses, documents and other evidence and to administer oaths, but the subpoena power of the county council shall be limited to matters relating to proposed ordinances which are being considered by the county council, and any witness shall have the right to be represented by counsel. The specific statement of particular legislative powers shall not be construed as limiting the legislative powers of the county council. 220.30. Organization. The county council shall elect one of its members as chairman, shall be responsible for its own organization and for the employment and supervision of those employees whom it deems necessary to assist it or individual councilmen in the exercise of their legislative powers and shall appoint a clerk to maintain its records. 220.40. Rules of Procedure. The county council shall adopt by ordinance rules of procedure governing the time, place and conduct of its meetings and hearings and the introduction, publication, consideration and adoption of ordinances. All meetings shall be open to the public, and a verbatim public record shall be kept of each meeting and the votes taken therein in the form, and for a reasonable period of time, as provided by ordinance. 220.50. Relationship with Other Branches. The county council and the individual councilmen shall not interfere in the administration, and shall not issue orders to any officer, agent or employee, of any other branch of the county government.
230.10. Introduction and Adoption. Proposed ordinances shall be limited to one subject and may be introduced by any councilmember, by initiative petition or by institutional initiative. At least seven days after the introduction of a proposed ordinance, except an emergency ordinance, and prior to its adoption or enactment, the county council shall hold a public hearing after due notice to consider the proposed ordinance. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, a minimum of seven affirmative votes shall be required to adopt an ordinance. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.10.10 Metropolitan Municipal Functions. Each metropolitan municipal function authorized to be performed by the county pursuant to RCW ch. 35.58 shall be operated as a distinct functional unit. Revenues or property received for such functions shall never be used for any purposes other than the operating expenses thereof, interest on and redemption of the outstanding debt thereof, capital improvements, and the reduction of rates and charges for such functions. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.20. Executive Veto. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, the county executive shall have the right to veto any ordinance or any object of expense of an appropriation ordinance. Every ordinance shall be presented to the county executive within five days after its adoption or enactment by the county council. Within ten days after its presentation, the county executive shall either sign the ordinance and return it to the county council, veto the ordinance and return it to the county council with a written and signed statement of the reasons for his or her veto or sign and partially veto an appropriation ordinance and return it to the county council with a written and signed statement of the reasons for his or her partial veto. If an ordinance is not returned by the county executive within ten days after its presentation it shall be deemed enacted without his or her signature. Within thirty days after an ordinance has been vetoed and returned or partially vetoed and returned, the county council may override the veto or partial veto by enacting the ordinance by a minimum of nine affirmative votes. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.30. Emergency Ordinances . Any proposed ordinance may be enacted as an emergency ordinance if the county council finds as a fact, and states in the ordinance, that an emergency exists and that the ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health or safety or for the support of county government and its existing public institutions. A minimum of nine affirmative votes shall be required to enact an emergency ordinance; and unless it is an emergency appropriation ordinance, it shall not be subject to the veto power of the county executive. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.40. Referendum. Except as provided herein, an enacted ordinance may be subjected to a referendum by the voters of the county by filing with the county council prior to the effective date of the ordinance petitions bearing signatures of registered voters of the county equal in number to not less than eight percent of the votes cast in the county for the office of county executive at the last preceding election for county executive. In addition, except as provided herein, an enacted ordinance which pursuant to state law is effective only in unincorporated areas of the county may be subjected to a referendum by the voters of the unincorporated areas of the county by filing with the county council prior to the effective date of the ordinance petitions bearing signatures of registered voters residing in unincorporated areas of the county equal in number to not less than eight percent of the votes cast at the last preceding election for county executive, provided however that the number of required signatures shall be calculated based only upon votes cast within areas which on the date such petitions are required to be filed are unincorporated areas of the county. Each petition shall contain the full text of the ordinance to be referred. The ordinance to be referred shall be placed on the ballot at the special or general election occurring more than forty-five days after the petitions are filed, provided that in the case of an ordinance effective only in unincorporated areas of the county, the proposed ordinance shall be voted upon only by the registered voters residing in unincorporated areas of the county. An appropriation ordinance; an ordinance necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety or for the support of county government and its existing public institutions; an ordinance proposing amendments to this charter; an ordinance providing for collective bargaining; an ordinance approving a collective bargaining agreement; an ordinance providing for the compensation or working conditions of county employees; or an ordinance which has been approved by the voters by referendum or initiative shall not be subject to a referendum. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.50. Initiative. Ordinances except ordinances providing for the compensation or working conditions of county employees may be proposed by filing with the county council petitions bearing signatures of registered voters of the county equal in number to not less than ten percent of the votes cast in the county for the office of county executive at the last preceding election for county executive. In addition, an ordinance which pursuant to state law is effective only in unincorporated areas of the county, except an ordinance providing for the compensation or working conditions of county employees, may be proposed by filing with the county council petitions bearing signatures of registered voters residing in unincorporated areas of the county equal in number to not less than ten percent of the votes cast at the last preceding election for county executive, provided, however that the number of required signatures shall be calculated based only upon votes cast within areas which on the date such petitions are required to be filed are unincorporated areas of the county. Each petition shall contain the full text of the proposed ordinance. The county council shall consider the proposed ordinance. If the proposed ordinance is not enacted within ninety days after the petitions are presented, it shall be placed on the ballot at the next regular or special election occurring more than one hundred thirty-five days after the petitions are filed or at an earlier election designated by the county council. However, if the proposed ordinance is enacted at any time prior to the election, it shall not be placed on the ballot or be voted on unless it is subjected to referendum. If the county council rejects the proposed ordinance and adopts a substitute ordinance concerning the same subject matter, the substitute ordinance shall be placed on the same ballot with the proposed ordinance; and the voters shall first be given the choice of accepting either or rejecting both and shall then be given the choice of accepting one and rejecting the other, provided that in the case of an ordinance effective only in unincorporated areas of the county, the proposed ordinance shall be voted upon only by the registered voters residing in unincorporated areas of the county. If a majority of the voters voting on the first issue is for either, then the ordinance receiving the majority of the votes cast on the second issue shall be deemed approved. If a majority of those voting on the first issue is for rejecting both, then neither ordinance shall be approved regardless of the vote on the second issue. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.50.10. Institutional Initiative. Any city or town located within the county may, after securing the consent, by motion or resolution, of at least one half of the cities within the county, propose an ordinance of county-wide significance directly to the metropolitan county council, except an ordinance which is not subject to a referendum under the provisions of Section 230.40 of this charter. Such proposed legislation shall be in ordinance form. The metropolitan county council shall take action on such proposed legislation within ninety (90) days of its filing with the county council. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 230.60. Referendum and Initiative Petitions. The county council shall establish by ordinance the form to be used for referendum and initiative petitions. All referendum and initiative petitions shall be sponsored by an individual or committee of individuals which shall secure the approval of the clerk of the county council as to the form of the proposed petitions before circulating them. Within five days after the form of the proposed petitions is submitted to him, the clerk of the county council shall return it to the sponsor with an indication of his approval or with a detailed written explanation of his objection to the form. 230.70. Effective Date of Ordinances. Except as provided herein, the effective date of an ordinance shall be ten days after its enactment unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. If an ordinance may be subjected to a referendum as provided in Section 230.40 and if a proposed referendum petition is submitted to the clerk of the county council as provided in Subsection 230.60 prior to the tenth day after its enactment, the effective date of the ordinance shall be forty-five days after its enactment unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. If an ordinance is subjected to referendum, it shall not become effective until after it is approved by the voters. If it is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the issue, the effective date of an ordinance which is subjected to referendum or proposed by initiative, or a substitute ordinance proposed by the county council as provided in Subsection 230.50, shall be ten days after the results of the election are certified unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. The effective date of an emergency ordinance shall be the date of its enactment unless a later date is specified in the ordinance. An ordinance which is subject to the veto power of the county executive and which is not vetoed, or the approved portions of an appropriation ordinance which has been partially vetoed, shall be deemed enacted on the date that it is approved by, or ten days after it is presented to, the county executive. An ordinance which is vetoed or the vetoed portions of an appropriation ordinance shall be deemed enacted on the date that the county council overrides the veto or partial veto. An ordinance which is not subject to the veto power of the county executive shall be deemed enacted on the date it is approved by the county council. Section 230.75. Amendment or Repeal of Ordinances Approved by the Voters. No ordinance approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon, whether as the result of a referendum or initiative, shall be amended or repealed by the county council within a period of two years following the effective date of such ordinance; provided that such ordinance may be amended within the two-year period by ordinance adopted by a vote of not less than two-thirds of all members of the county council, which amendatory ordinance shall not be subject to referendum. An ordinance approved by the voters may be amended or repealed by an ordinance approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon at any special or general election. Ordinances may be enacted to facilitate and effectuate this provision. Section 240. Motions. The county council may pass motions to confirm or reject appointments by the county executive, to organize and administer the legislative branch, to make declarations of policy which do not have the force of law and to request information from any other agency of county government. Motions shall not be subject to the veto power of the county executive, and the county council in passing motions need not comply with the procedural requirements for the introduction, consideration and adoption of ordinances. Section 250. County Auditor. The county auditor shall be appointed by a majority of the county council and shall be responsible to the council for conducting, or causing to be conducted, independent post audits of county agencies for the purpose of reporting to the council regarding the integrity of the function of the financial management system, the quality and efficiency of agency management, and the effectiveness of programs. In carrying out this purpose, the auditor shall perform the following audits within guidelines established by the county council by ordinance: financial and compliance audits to supplement those performed by the state pursuant to general law, economy and efficiency audits, and program result audits. In addition, the auditor shall perform such special studies as may be requested by the council. The auditor shall report the results of each agency audit to the county council. Annual audits shall continue to be performed by the state in accordance with general law. The organization and administration of the auditor's office shall be sufficiently independent to assure no interference or influence external to the organization shall adversely affect an independent and objective judgment by the auditor and the auditor shall be provided a discrete budget and staff allocation. (Ord. 8649, 9/6/88). Section 260. Office of Citizen Complaints. The county council shall establish by ordinance an office to receive complaints concerning the operation of county government and shall grant it sufficient power to permit it quickly and efficiently to investigate and to make and publicize recommendations concerning its findings, including the power to subpoena witnesses, documents and other evidence and to administer oaths. The subpoena power of the office of citizen complaints shall be limited to matters under written complaint by a citizen of the county, and any witness shall have the right to be represented by counsel. Any individual who is the subject of a complaint shall have the right to present witnesses in his own behalf. Section 270. Regional Committees. 270.10. Regional Committees. Three regional committees shall be established by ordinance to develop, recommend and review regional policies and plans for consideration by the metropolitan county council: one for transit, one for water quality and one for other regional policies and plans. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 270.20. Composition of regional committees. Each regional committee shall consist of twelve voting members. Six members shall be metropolitan county councilmembers appointed by the chair of the council, and shall include councilmembers from districts with unincorporated residents. The remaining six members of each committee except the water quality committee shall be local elected city officials appointed from and in proportion to the relative populations of: (i) the city with the largest population in the county and (ii) the other cities and towns in the county. Committee members from the city with the largest population in the county shall be appointed by the legislative authority of that city. Committee members from the other cities and towns in the county shall be appointed in a manner agreed to by and among those cities and towns representing a majority of the populations of such cities and towns, provided, however, that such cities and towns may appoint two representatives for each allocated committee membership, each with fractional (1/2) voting rights. The special purpose districts providing sewer service in the county shall appoint two members to serve on the water quality committee in a manner agreed to by districts representing a majority of the population within the county served by such districts. The remaining four local government members of the water quality committee shall be appointed in the manner set forth above for other regional committees. Allocation of membership of each committee's members who are city and town representatives shall be adjusted January 1 of each even-numbered year beginning in 1996 based upon current census information or, if more recent, official state office of financial management population statistics. In the event any areas are annexed pursuant to powers granted to metropolitan municipal corporations under state law, the populations of any cities and towns in such annexed areas shall be considered as if they were within the county for purposes in this section with regard to regional committee participation on policies and plans which would be effective in such annexed areas. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). 270.30 Powers and Duties. Each regional committee shall develop, review and recommend ordinances and motions adopting, repealing, or amending county-wide policies and plans relating to the subject matter area for which a regional committee has been established. The regional policies committee may, by majority vote, request that the county council assign to the committee proposed policies and plans concerning other regional issues including but not limited to public health, human services, regional services financial policies, criminal justice and jails, and regional facilities siting. The metropolitan county council shall assign each such proposed ordinance or motion to a regional committee for review. When a proposed policy or plan is referred to a regional committee for review, a time limit for such review shall be 120 days or such other time as is jointly established by the metropolitan county council and the committee, which shall be confirmed in the form of a motion by the metropolitan county council. If the committee fails to act upon the proposed policy or plan within the established time limit, the metropolitan county council may adopt the proposed policy or plan upon eight affirmative votes. The committee may request, by motion to the county council, additional time for review. A proposed policy or plan recommended by a regional committee may be adopted, without amendment, by the metropolitan county council by seven affirmative votes. If the metropolitan county council votes prior to final passage thereof to amend a proposed policy or plan that has been reviewed or recommended by a regional committee, the proposed policy or plan, as amended, shall be referred back to the appropriate committee for further review and recommendation. The committee may concur in, dissent from, or recommend additional amendments to the policy or plan. After the regional committee has had the opportunity to review all metropolitan county council amendments, final action to adopt any proposed policy or plan which differs from the committee recommendation shall require eight affirmative votes of the metropolitan county council. The council shall not call a special election to authorize the performance of an additional metropolitan municipal function under state law unless such additional function is recommended by a regional policy committee, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 230.50.10 of this charter. Such recommendation shall require an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the membership of each of: (1) metropolitan councilmembers of the committee; (2) members from the city with the largest population in the county; and (3) other city or town members of the committee. Nothing in this section prohibits the metropolitan county council from calling a special election on the authorization of the performance of one or more additional metropolitan functions after receiving a valid resolution adopted by city councils as permitted by RCW 35.58.100(1)(a) and RCW 35.58.100(1)(b), or a duly certified petition as permitted by RCW 35.58.100(2). (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). 270.40 Invalidity-Development of Proposed Amendment. If any provision of section 270 of this charter is declared invalid, the metropolitan county council shall initiate a process with representatives of cities and towns within the county to develop a proposed charter amendment providing for effective city, town, and unincorporated area participation in regional decisions. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). ARTICLE 3 THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH Section 310. Composition and Powers. The executive branch shall be composed of the county executive, the county administrative officer, the county assessor, the officers and employees of administrative offices and executive departments established by this charter or created by the county council and the members of the boards and commissions except the board of appeals and the personnel board. The executive branch shall have all executive powers of the county under this charter. Section 320. County Executive. 320.10. Election, Term of Office and Compensation. The county executive shall be nominated and elected by the voters of the county, and his term of office shall be four years and until his successor is elected and qualified. The county executive shall receive compensation at least one and one-half times the compensation paid to a councilman. 320.20. Powers and Duties. The county executive shall be the chief executive officer of the county and shall have all the executive powers of the county which are not expressly vested in other specific elective officers by this charter; shall supervise all administrative offices and executive departments established by this charter or created by the county council; shall be the chief peace officer of the county and shall execute and enforce all ordinances and state statutes within the county; shall serve on all boards and commissions on which a county commissioner was required to serve prior to the adoption of this charter, but if more than one county commissioner was required to serve, the county council shall appoint a councilman or councilmen to serve on the board or commission with him; shall present to the county council an annual statement of the financial and governmental affairs of the county and any other report which he may deem necessary; shall prepare and present to the county council budgets and a budget message setting forth the programs which he proposes for the county during the next fiscal year; shall prepare and present to the county council comprehensive plans including capital improvement plans for the present and future development of the county; shall have the power to veto any ordinance adopted by the county council except as otherwise provided in this charter; shall have the power to assign duties to administrative offices and executive departments which are not specifically assigned by this charter or by ordinance; and shall sign, or cause to be signed, on behalf of the county all deeds, contracts and other instruments. The specific statement of particular executive powers shall not be construed as limiting the executive powers of the county executive. Section 330. County Administrative Officer. The county executive shall appoint the county administrative officer who, under the general supervision of the county executive, shall assist him, shall supervise the administrative offices and shall perform such other duties as are delegated to him by the county executive. Section 340. Appointments, Confirmation and Removal. 340.10. Appointments by the County Executive. The county executive shall appoint the county administrative officer and the chief officer of each executive department except the county assessor and shall appoint the members of all boards and commissions except as otherwise provided in this charter. 340.20. Appointments by the County Administrative Officer. The county administrative officer shall appoint the chief officer of each administrative office. 340.30. Appointments by the Chief Officers. The chief officer of each administrative office and executive department shall appoint all officers and employees of his office or department and shall comply with the rules of the personnel system when appointing officers and employees to positions covered by the career service. 340.40. Confirmation. The appointments by the county executive shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the county council. The appointments by the county administrative officer shall be subject to approval by the county executive. 340.50. Qualifications. The county administrative officer and the chief officers appointed by either the county executive or the county administrative officer shall be appointed on the basis of their abilities, qualifications, integrity and prior experience concerning the duties of the office to which they shall be appointed. 340.60. Removal. Any officer, board or commission member, or employee who is not a member of the career service may be removed at any time by the officer who appointed him, except that a member of the personnel board or the board of appeals may be removed only by a majority of the county council as provided in this charter. Section 350. Administrative Offices and Executive Departments. The executive branch shall be divided by the county council by ordinance into administrative offices and executive departments. 350.10. Administrative Offices. The administrative offices shall consist of those agencies of the executive branch which provide administrative services for the various agencies of county government. 350.20. Executive Departments. The executive departments shall consist of the department of assessments, the department of judicial administration and those agencies of the executive branch which are primarily engaged in the execution and enforcement of ordinances and statutes concerning the public peace, health and safety and which furnish or provide governmental services directly to or for the residents of the county. 350.20.10. Department of Assessments. The department of assessments shall be administered by the county assessor who shall perform the duties specified by general law. The county assessor shall be elected by the voters of the county unless general law shall provide otherwise, and his term of office shall be four years. The department of assessments shall be an executive department subject to the personnel system and shall utilize the services of the administrative offices and the executive departments, but it shall not be abolished or combined with any other executive department or administrative office and shall not have its duties decreased by the county council. 350.20.20. Department of Judicial Administration. The department of judicial administration shall be administered by the superior court clerk who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of a majority of the superior court judges in the county. The department of judicial administration shall maintain the official court files, records and indexes necessary for the efficient administration of justice and the court system and shall perform such other duties assigned to it by a majority of the superior court judges in the county. The department of judicial administration shall be an executive department subject to the personnel system and shall utilize the services of the administrative offices and the executive departments, but it shall not be abolished by the county council. (Ord. 8648, 9/6/88). 350.20.30 Metropolitan Services Department Transitory Provisions. The metropolitan services department shall be independent of all other executive departments and administrative offices of county government. The metropolitan services department shall operate the metropolitan services in order to perform the metropolitan functions of public transportation and water pollution abatement performed by the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO) prior to county assumption of METRO'S metropolitan functions, and shall perform all additional metropolitan functions hereafter authorized under authority of RCW 35.58. Upon county assumption of the rights, powers, functions and obligations of METRO, the metropolitan services department shall take jurisdiction of all the assets and property, real and personal, of METRO. The metropolitan services department shall initially have the same organizational and reporting structure as has METRO immediately prior to county assumption of METRO's functions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter, for a period of two years after January 1, 1994, the county council shall not abolish, combine, or divide the administrative divisions of the metropolitan services department, nor shall it transfer the personnel or powers or duties or property of that department from one division to another, either within the metropolitan services department or to another executive department or administrative office of county government. Thereafter, any organizational changes shall not adversely affect the provision of metropolitan function services. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). 350.20.40 Department of Public Safety. The department of public safety shall be administered by the county sheriff who shall perform the duties specified by general law. The county sheriff shall be elected by the voters of the county, and his or her term of office shall be four years. The department of public safety shall be an executive department subject to the civil service personnel system and shall utilize the services of the administrative offices and the executive departments, but it shall not be abolished or combined with any other executive department or administrative office and shall not have its duties decreased by the county council. (Ord. 12301, 5/28/96) ARTICLE 4 FINANCIAL PROCEDURES Section 410. Presentation and Adoption of Budgets. At least seventy-five days prior to the end of each fiscal year, the county executive shall present to the county council a complete budget and budget message, proposed current expense and capital budget appropriation ordinances, and proposed tax and revenue ordinances necessary to raise sufficient revenues to balance the budget; and at least thirty days prior to the end of the fiscal year, the county council shall adopt appropriation, tax and revenue ordinances for the next fiscal year. (Ord. 981; 9/13/71) Section 420. Budget Information. At least one hundred thirty-five days prior to the end of the fiscal year, all agencies of county government shall submit to the county executive information necessary to prepare the budget. Section 430. Contents of Budget. The budget shall include all funds, revenues and reserves; shall be divided into programs, projects and objects of expense and shall include supporting data deemed advisable by the county executive or required by ordinance; shall indicate as to each program, project or object of expense the actual expenditures of the preceding fiscal year, the estimated expenditures for the current fiscal year and requested appropriations for the next fiscal year; and shall include the proposed capital improvement program for the next six fiscal years. The expenditures included in the budget for the ensuing fiscal year shall not exceed the estimated revenues. Section 440. Budget Message. The budget message shall explain the budget in fiscal terms and in terms of the goals to be accomplished and shall relate the requested appropriations to the comprehensive plans of the county. Section 450. Copies of Budget. Copies of the budget and budget message shall be delivered to the clerk and each councilman. Prior to the public hearing on the budget, the budget message and supporting tables shall be furnished to any interested person upon request, and copies of the budget shall be furnished for a reasonable fee as established by ordinance and shall be available for public inspection. Section 460. Consideration and Adoption of Appropriation Ordinances. Prior to the adoption of any appropriation ordinances for the next fiscal year, the county council shall hold a public hearing to consider the budget presented by the county executive and shall hold any other public hearing on the budget or any part thereof that it deems advisable. The county council in considering the appropriations ordinances proposed by the county executive may delete or add items, may reduce or increase the proposed appropriations and may add provisions restricting the expenditures of certain appropriations; but it shall not change the form of the proposed appropriation ordinances submitted by the county executive. The appropriation ordinances adopted by the county council shall not exceed the estimated revenues of the county for the next fiscal year for each fund including surpluses and reserves, but the county council may increase the amount of the estimated revenues contained in the budget presented by the county executive by reestimating the amount by motion passed by a minimum of nine affirmative votes or by creating additional sources of revenue which were not included in the proposed tax and revenue ordinances presented by the county executive. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). Section 470. Additional Appropriations. 470.10. Contingency Appropriations. The appropriation ordinances shall include contingency funds which shall not be expended unless the county executive certifies in writing that sufficient funds are available and the county council adopts an additional appropriation ordinance after being requested to do so by the county executive. 470.20. Emergency Appropriations. The county council may adopt an emergency appropriation ordinance which may appropriate contingency funds, revenues received in excess of the revenues estimated in the budget and funds from any other source available to the county in an emergency. 470.30. Additional Capital Budget Appropriations. The county council shall not adopt an additional or amended capital budget appropriation ordinance during the fiscal year unless requested to do so by the county executive. Section 475. Work Programs and Allotments. Within thirty days after the adoption of the appropriation ordinances, each agency of county government except the county council shall present to the county executive work programs and requested allotments by program, project, object of expense or period of time to properly control expenditures and prevent deficits; and the county executive may allot and withhold appropriations. At any time during the fiscal year, the county executive may transfer current expense appropriations between general classifications of expenditures within the same executive department, administrative office, board or commission. During the last quarter of the fiscal year, the county council when requested to do so by the county executive may adopt an ordinance to transfer appropriations between agencies of county government; but a capital budget project shall not be abandoned thereby unless its abandonment is recommended by the executive department responsible for planning. Section 480. Lapses of Appropriations. Unless otherwise provided by the appropriation ordinances, all unexpended and unencumbered appropriations in the current expense appropriation ordinances shall lapse at the end of the fiscal year. An appropriation in the capital budget appropriation ordinances shall lapse when the project has been completed or abandoned or when no expenditure or encumbrance has been made for three years. Section 490. Interfund Borrowing and Reimbursement. One agency of county government or fund may reimburse another agency or fund for services rendered, and the county council when requested to do so by the county executive may adopt an ordinance to provide for temporary interfund borrowing. Section 495. Illegal Contracts. Except as otherwise provided by ordinance, any contract in excess of an appropriation shall be null and void; and any officer, agent or employee of the county knowingly responsible shall be personally liable to anyone damaged by his action. The county council when requested to do so by the county executive may adopt an ordinance permitting the county to enter into contracts requiring the payment of funds from appropriations of subsequent fiscal years, but real property shall not be leased to the county for more than one year unless it is included in a capital budget appropriation ordinance. ARTICLE 5 THE PERSONNEL SYSTEM Section 510. Purpose. The county shall establish and maintain an effective personnel system for the county which will assure: recruitment, selection and retention of county employees on the basis of merit; the development of a county career service; promotion on the basis of demonstrated ability; and compensation and personnel practices which will keep the county system competitive. Section 520. Administration. The county executive shall administer the personnel system of the county in accordance with the personnel rules adopted by the county council by ordinance. The county administrative officer shall prepare and present proposed personnel rules to the county executive who shall present a proposed ordinance establishing the personnel rules to the county council which shall adopt the ordinance with or without amendments. Section 530. Personnel Rules. The personnel rules shall provide for: the classification of all employed positions based on the duties, authority and responsibility of each position with adequate provisions for reclassification of any position whenever warranted; a pay plan for all county positions; methods for determining the merit and fitness of candidates for appointment or promotion; policies and procedures concerning reductions in force and removal of employees; hours of work, attendance, regulations and provisions for vacations and sick leaves; policies and procedures for persons holding provisional appointments; policies and procedures governing relationships with employee organizations; policies governing in-service training; grievance procedures; procedures for disciplinary actions for just cause; penalties for violation of the provisions of Section 560; and other related policies and procedures. Section 540. The Personnel Board. There shall be a personnel board composed of five members, four of whom shall be appointed by the county executive subject to confirmation by a majority of the county council. One member of the personnel board shall be elected by secret ballot by the county employees who are members of the career service according to the procedure established by ordinance. A personnel board member shall serve a five year term and until his successor is appointed or elected, with one member being appointed each year. A majority of the county council, but not the county executive, may remove a personnel board member for just cause after written charges have been served on the personnel board member and a public hearing has been held by the county council. The county council may provide for the compensation of personnel board members on a per diem basis. The personnel board shall report at least once a year to the county executive concerning the operation of the personnel system with any recommendations it may have for its improvement. Any member of the career service may appeal to the personnel board; from any action pertaining to the methods of examination, appointment or promotion; from any suspension for more than sixty days, reduction in rank or pay, or removal; and from any classification or reclassification of positions. The personnel board shall hold a public hearing to consider an appeal and shall issue such orders as it deems proper including but not limited to the restoration of rank or pay, with or without loss of benefits and pay, and the allocation and reallocation of positions. The decision of the personnel board shall be final unless reviewed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Section 550. Career Service Positions. All county employees and officers shall be members of the career service except those in the following positions: all elected officers; the county auditor, the clerk and all other employees of the county council; the county administrative officer; the chief officer of each executive department and administrative office; the members of all boards and commissions; administrative assistants for the county executive and one administrative assistant each for the county administrative officer, the county auditor, the county assessor, the chief officer of each executive department and administrative office and for each board and commission; a chief deputy for the county assessor; one confidential secretary each for the county executive, the chief officer of each executive department and administrative office, and for each administrative assistant specified herein; all employees of those officers who are exempted from the provisions of this charter by the state constitution; persons employed in a professional or scientific capacity to conduct a special inquiry, investigation or examination; part-time and temporary employees; administrative interns; election precinct officials; all persons serving the county without compensation; physicians; surgeons; dentists; medical interns; and student nurses and inmates employed by county hospitals, tuberculosis sanitariums and health departments of the county. Part-time Employees. All part-time employees shall be exempted from career service membership except, effective January 1, 1989, all part-time employees employed at least half-time or more, as defined by ordinance, shall be members of the career service. (Ord. 8651, 9/12/88). Section 560. Political Activities. The political activities of county employees and officers shall be governed by the applicable provisions of state law. (Ord. 5665, 9/8/81). Section 610. Election Procedures. Except as provided in this Article, the nominating primaries and elections shall be conducted in accordance with general law governing the election of partisan county officers. Section 620. Independent Candidates. On or before the last day for filing a declaration of candidacy as a candidate in a major political party primary, anyone qualified to assume office if elected may file a declaration of candidacy as an "independent." Any candidate who files a declaration of candidacy as an independent shall be placed on the primary ballots under the title "independent"; and, if the total number of votes cast for independent candidates for an office is equal to at least twenty percent of the total number of votes cast for that office in the primary, then the candidate who receives a plurality of the votes cast for independent candidates for that office shall be the independent nominee for that office and shall be placed on the general election ballots under the title "independent." Anyone who files a declaration of candidacy as an independent shall not be a candidate for any political party in that primary or in the succeeding general election and shall pay the filing fee required for a declaration of candidacy for a major political party primary. Section 630. Qualifications. Each county officer holding an elective office shall be, at the time of his appointment or election and at all times while he holds office, at least twenty-one years of age, a citizen of the United States and a resident and registered voter of King County; and each councilman shall be a resident of the district which he represents. Any change in the boundaries of a councilman's district which shall cause him to be no longer a resident of the district which he represents shall not disqualify him from holding office during the remainder of the term for which he was elected or appointed. Additional qualifications of the office of sheriff may be established by ordinance. (Ord. 12301, 5/28/96) Section 640. County Executive and Assessor. The nomination and election of the county executive and county assessor shall be held every four years as a county general election at the same time as the general election for cities in the county commencing with the election of 1971 for the county assessor and with the election of 1973 for the county executive. Section 645. Sheriff; Elections, Term of Office and Compensation. The county sheriff shall be nominated and elected as a non-partisan office by the voters of the county, and the term of office shall be four years and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. The initial election for county sheriff shall be at the general election in 1997. The county sheriff shall receive compensation as provided by ordinance. (Ord. 12301, 5/28/96) Section 650. Councilmembers. 650.10. Districts. The county shall be divided into thirteen districts numbered one through thirteen. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92) 650.20. Nomination and Election. The nomination and election of councilmen shall be held every four years as a county general election at the same time as the general election for cities in the county commencing in even-numbered districts with the election of 1971 and in odd-numbered districts with the election of 1973. 650.30.10. District Boundaries. The boundaries of each district shall correspond as nearly as practical with the boundaries of election precincts, municipalities and census tracts and shall be: drawn to produce districts with compact and contiguous territory, composed of economic and geographic units and approximately equal in population. 650.30.20. Districting Committee.During the month of January, 2001, and by January 31st of each tenth year thereafter, a five-member districting committee shall be appointed. The county council shall appoint four persons to the committee, two from each of the two major political parties, the four to appoint the fifth who shall be the chairperson. The districting committee shall no later than April 1 following their appointment meet and appoint a districting master who shall be qualified by education, training and experience to draw a districting plan. If the districting committee is unable to agree upon the appointment of a districting master by April 1, the county council shall appoint a districting master by May 31 of that year. (Ord. 2494, 9/15/75; Ord 12191, 3/11/96). 650.30.30. Districting Plan. The districting master shall draw a districting plan for the county which shall be submitted by December 31 of the same year to the districting committee for adoption with or without amendment. The districting committee shall adopt the districting plan within fifteen days. Upon adoption, the districting plan shall be submitted to the clerk of the county council by the districting committee. The plan shall become effective upon filing. (Ord. 2494, 9/15/75; Ord 12191, 3/11/96). Section 650.40 Transitional Provisions. 650.40.10. Districting in 1993. Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter, the districting committee called for in Section 650.30. of this charter also shall be appointed and shall perform its duties in 1993 according to the months and days specified in section 650.30. to prepare a districting plan for thirteen council districts. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/94). 650.40.20. Initial elections and terms of office for districts ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen. Notwithstanding any other provision of this charter, the initial primary and general elections for council districts ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen shall be held in 1993, with members elected at such general election to commence their term of office January 1, 1994. Councilmembers elected at that election to represent districts ten and twelve each shall serve an initial term of two years. Councilmembers elected at that election to represent district eleven and thirteen each shall serve full terms. Districts ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen shall not be deemed vacant during 1993. All subsequent elections shall be held according to the existing provisions of this charter. (Ord. 10530, 8/24/92). Section 660. Commencement of Terms of Office. The terms of office of elected county officers shall commence on the date specified by general law for public officers elected at city general elections. Section 670. Recall. The holder of any elective office may be recalled in accordance with the provisions of general law. Section 680. Vacancies. An elective county office shall become vacant upon the incumbent's death; resignation; recall; conviction of a felony, crime involving moral turpitude, unlawful destruction of court records, or other crime pertinent to his office; declaration of incompetency by a court of competent jurisdiction; absence from the county for a period of more than thirty days without the permission of a majority of the county council; or failure to fulfill or continue to fulfill the qualifications for office; provided, however, that an elective county office shall not become vacant as the result of a criminal conviction or declaration of incompetency until the conviction or declaration has become final and is no longer subject to appeal. Section 680.10 Designation, Appointment and Election to Fill Vacancy. Immediately upon commencing their terms of office, the county executive, assessor and sheriff shall each designate one or more employees who serve as a deputy or assistant in such office to serve as an interim official in the event of a vacancy in the elective office of county executive, assessor, or sheriff, respectively. Except for a designation made by the metropolitan county council, a designation of an interim official shall only be effective if the county executive, assessor and sheriff, each for his or her elective office, complies with the following procedure: commits the designation to writing; identifies the order of precedence if more than one county officer or employee is designated; signs the written designation; has the written designation notarized; files the written designation with the county office responsible for records and elections; and, provides a copy of the written designation to the chair of the metropolitan county council. The county executive, assessor and sheriff may, at any time, amend such designation by complying with the same procedure established for making the designation. In the event the county executive, assessor, or sheriff neglects or fails to make such a designation within seven calendar days of commencing his or her term of office, the metropolitan county council may by ordinance designate one or more employees who serve as a deputy or assistant in such office to serve as an interim official in the event of a vacancy in the elective office of county executive, assessor, or sheriff, respectively. A designation made by the metropolitan county council shall be effective upon adoption of the ordinance therefor and may be amended by ordinance; provided that a designation by the county executive, assessor, or sheriff which occurs subsequent to adoption of an ordinance shall take precedence over the designation by ordinance. The designated county officer or employee shall immediately upon the occurrence of a vacancy serve as the interim official and shall exercise all the powers and duties of the office granted by this charter and general law until an acting official is appointed as provided in this section. The metropolitan county council shall, after being appraised of a vacancy in the elective office of county executive, assessor or sheriff, fill the vacancy by the appointment of an employee who served as a deputy or assistant in such office at the time the vacancy occurred as an acting official to perform all necessary duties to continue normal office operations. The acting official shall serve until the vacancy is filled by appointment pursuant to Article II, section 15, of the Washington State Constitution for partisan county elective offices or pursuant to general law for nonpartisan county elective offices, as applicable. A vacancy in an elective county office shall be filled at the next primary and general elections which occur in the county; provided that an election to fill the vacancy shall not be held if the successor to the vacated office will be elected at the next general election as provided in Sections 640 and 645. The term of office of an officer who has been elected to fill a vacancy shall only be for the unexpired portion of the term of the officer whose office has become vacant and shall commence as soon as he or she is elected and qualified. A majority of the county council may temporarily fill a vacancy by appointment until the vacancy has been filled by election or the successor to the office has been elected and qualified.(Ord. 12847 9/8/97) Section 690. Statement of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures. Every candidate for nomination or election to an elective county office shall, within ten days after the primary, general or special election as the case may be, file an itemized statement with the executive department responsible for conducting elections showing all campaign contributions and pledges of manpower and material made to him or on his behalf and all campaign expenditures and obligations incurred by him or on his behalf. Such statement when filed shall be a public record. The county council shall by ordinance prescribe the form of such statement. A willful violation of this section shall disqualify the candidate from holding county elective office. Section 690.10 Limits on Campaign Contributions and Expenditures. The county shall provide for a system of limits on campaign contributions and expenditures to safeguard the integrity of the political process. The county council shall by ordinance establish mandatory limits on campaign contributions and voluntary limits on campaign expenditures with public matching funds for county charter elected offices. The ordinance may provide for penalties including disqualification of a candidate from holding county elective office for willful violations. (Ord. 8977 Section 2, 1989). Section 710. Composition, Appointment, Removal. The board of appeals shall be composed of seven members appointed by the county executive subject to confirmation by a majority of the county council. Each member of the board of appeals shall serve a four year term and until his successor is appointed. Two members shall be appointed each year; except that every fourth year, only one member shall be appointed. A majority of the county council, but not the county executive, may remove a board of appeals member for just cause after written charges have been served on the board of appeals member and a public hearing has been held by the county council. The county council shall provide for the compensation of the board of appeals members on a per diem basis. Section 720. Powers. The board of appeals shall hear and decide all appeals from any valuation by the department of assessments. The county council may by ordinance provide for an appeal to the board of appeals from any other order by an executive department or administrative office. The decision of the board of appeals shall be final unless reviewed by a state agency as provided by general law or appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction within the time limits established by ordinance or general law. (Ord. 3405, 9/23/77). Section 730. Rules of Practice and Procedure. The board of appeals shall prepare, publish and amend rules of practice and procedure establishing the method for appealing to the board and shall provide for the selection of those of its members who shall serve with representatives of cities or other agencies of government on any joint board or commission established by general law which hears appeals which would otherwise be within the jurisdiction of the board of appeals established by this charter. Section 800. Charter Review and Amendments. At least every ten years after the adoption of this charter, the county executive shall appoint a citizen commission of not less than fifteen members whose mandate shall be to review the charter and present, or cause to be presented, to the county council a written report recommending those amendments, if any, which should be made to the charter. This citizen commission shall be composed of at least one representative from each of the county council districts. The county council may propose amendments to this charter by enacting an ordinance to submit a proposed amendment to the voters of the county at the next general election occurring more than forty-five days after the enactment of the ordinance. An ordinance proposing an amendment to the charter shall not be subject to the veto power of the county executive. Publication of a proposed amendment and notice of its submission to the voters of the county shall be made in accordance with the state constitution and general law. If the proposed amendment is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the issue, it shall become effective ten days after the results of the election are certified unless a later date is specified in the amendment. (Ord. 8647, 9/6/88). Section 810. Severability and Construction. The provisions of this charter are severable; and, if any provision should be declared to be unconstitutional or inapplicable, it shall not affect the constitutionality or applicability of any other provision of this charter. Section 815. Contracts and Procurement Processes. The construction of all public buildings and works shall be performed by independent contractors except as provided otherwise in this charter or by general law. County employees may perform county road projects up to the separate project cost limits authorized by general law for the performance of public buildings and works by county employees. The county shall purchase all property and award all contracts by procurement processes established by ordinance or general law. (Ord. 8650, 9/12/88) (Ord 12846, 9/8/97). Section 820. Conflict of Interest. The county council shall adopt an ordinance prohibiting an officer or employee of the county when it might conflict with the performance of his official duties from directly or indirectly; receiving or having any financial interest in any sale to or by the county of any service or property; accepting or seeking for others any service or thing of value on more favorable terms than those granted to the public generally from any person, firm or corporation having dealings with county; or accepting any gift from any person, firm or corporation having dealings with the county. The ordinance shall include civil and criminal penalties for the negligent or willful violation of this section by any county officer or employee or by any person, firm or corporation having dealings with the county. Section 830. Public Inspection of Public Records. All official acts and documents except those which have been specifically prepared for use by the county in court proceedings, criminal and law enforcement files, those which would invade a person's right of privacy and those which are specified as confidential by general law shall be open for public inspection; and the agency having custody and control of public records shall upon request supply certified copies of the records requested for a reasonable fee as established by ordinance. Section 840. Anti-Discrimination. There shall be no discrimination in employment or compensation of county officers or employees on account of sex, race, color, national origin, religious affiliation or age except by minimum age and retirement provisions; and the county shall not enter into any contract with any person, firm, organization or corporation which discriminates on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religious affiliation or age except by minimum age and retirement provisions. Section 850. Delegation of Authority. Any power or duty of a county officer except the veto power of the county executive may be delegated by that officer to another officer or employee under his control and supervision; provided, however, that the delegating officer shall continue to be responsible for the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty delegated. The county council shall not delegate its legislative power except to the extent that it delegates to a county officer the authority to promulgate regulations in accordance with adequate standards established by the county council. Section 860. References to County Agencies and Officers in the Constitution or General Law. Whenever the state constitution or a general law which has not been superseded by this charter or by the ordinances enacted hereunder refers to an agency or officer of county government who has been superseded by this charter, it shall be deemed to refer to the agency or officer designated by this charter or by the county council to perform the functions of the superseded agency or officer or in the absence of such a designation to the agency or officer designated by the county executive. Section 870. Additional Compensation. Any county officer or employee who is compensated by salary shall not receive any additional compensation for serving on any board or commission or in any other position established by or pursuant to this charter. An elected officer of the county shall not be appointed to any other compensated county office or position during his term of office. Section 880. Compilation and Codification of Ordinances. Within two years after the effective date of this charter and as often thereafter as it deems necessary, the county council shall provide for a compilation and codification of all county ordinances and regulations which have the force of law and are permanent or general in nature. Each codification shall be presented to the county council and, when adopted by ordinance, shall be known as the "King County Code." It shall be published together with this charter, a detailed index and appropriate notes, citations and annotations. The county council shall also provide for an annual supplement. Section 890. Employee Representation. The county council may enact an ordinance providing for collective bargaining by the county with county employees covered by the personnel system. If an ordinance providing for collective bargaining is enacted, it shall not be subject to the veto power of the county executive; and it shall designate the county executive as the bargaining agent of the county. Any agreement reached as a result of negotiations by the county bargaining agent with county employees shall not have the force of law unless enacted by ordinance. Section 895. Mandatory Inquests. An inquest shall be held to investigate the causes and circumstances of any death involving a member of the law enforcement agency of the county in the performance of his duties. Section 896. Appeals Process. The county council shall by ordinance provide the opportunity for an administrative appeal to a hearing examiner or other body for appeals from the granting or rejecting of an application for zoning variance or conditional use permit. (Ord. 3405, 9/23/77) ARTICLE 9 TRANSITORY PROVISIONS The provisions of this article relate to the transition from the existing form of government to the form of government established by this charter; and where inconsistent with the foregoing articles of this charter, the provisions of this article shall constitute exceptions. Section 900. Effective Date and Elections. The effective date of this charter shall be May 1, 1969, except that special nominating primaries and a special election shall be held on February 11, 1969, and March 11, 1969, respectively to elect the first county executive, county assessor and councilmen to be elected after the adoption of this charter. The nominating primaries and election shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 610 and 620, except that the declarations of candidacy for the nominating primaries shall be filed during December 16-20, 1968; provided, however, that the declarations of candidacy for the nominating primary for a councilman district in which a county commissioner elected in 1966 or 1968 resides shall be December 23-27, 1968, if that county commissioner resigns or files a declaration of candidacy for county executive or county assessor. A candidate may withdraw his nomination in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of RCW 29.18.030, and a vacancy on a party ticket may be filled in accordance with the provisions of RCW 29.18.150. Section 910. Councilman Districts. Until they are changed by a districting ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this charter, the districts of the councilmen shall be as follows: Councilman District No. 1 shall consist of: the following precincts in Legislative Districts 44, 45 and 46 and all precincts lying north of them: 44-85 through 44-88, 45-98 through 45-100, 46-97 through 46-101, 46-106, 46-115 and 46-116; all precincts in Legislative District No. 1 except those south of precincts Juanita, Bokirk, Phyllis, Firlock and Willows; and precinct Woodinville in Legislative District No. 48. Councilman District No. 2 shall consist of Precincts 32A-1 through 32A-51, 32B-82 through 32B-119, 43-1 through 43-29, 43-106, 45-1 through 45-33, 45-42 through 45-45, 45-54 through 45-59, 45-61 through 45-68, 45-81, 45-97, 46-1 through 46-96, 46-102 through 46-105 and 46-127. Councilman District No. 3 shall consist of: all precincts in Legislative District No. 48 except precinct Woodinville; the following precincts in Legislative District No. 41 and all precincts lying north of them: Enatai, Bellevue No. 1, Bellevue No. 62, Bellevue No. 65, Bel-Air, Beachcrest, Squak Mountain, Gilman, Tiger Mountain and Hutchison; and precincts Lorraine and Timber Lake in Legislative District No. 47. Councilman District No. 4 shall consist of precincts 44-1 through 44-84, 45-34 through 45-41, 45-46 through 45-53, 45-60, 45-69, 45-70 through 45-79, 45-82 through 45-96, 32B-60 through 32B-81, 43-85, 43-92, 43-100, 43-101, 43-103, 37-1 through 37-4, and all precincts in Legislative District No. 36. Councilman District No. 5 shall consist of precincts 37-5 through 37-106, 43-30 through 43-84, 43-86 through 43-91, 43-93 through 43-99, 43-102, 44-104, 43-107 through 43-109, 33-1 through 33-50, 33-54 through 33-56, and 34-96 through 34-114. Councilman District No. 6 shall consist of all precincts on Mercer Island and all of the following perimeter precincts and all precincts lying within them: 33-100, 33-101 and 33-107 in Legislative District No. 33; 35-6, 35-7, 35-9, 35-17, 35-18, 35-19, Laurel and Lakeridge in Legislative District No. 35; Bryn Mawr, Fillmore, and Renton No. 1 through Renton No. 57 in Legislative District No. 47; Olympic, McDivitt, Hazelwood, Lake Heights, Mocking Bird and Newport in Legislative District No. 41; Bellevue No. 66, Eastgate, Arline, Horizon, Willowridge and Cougar Mountain in Legislative District No. 47; Kathleen, Hi-Valley, Maple Hills, Cedar Mountain, Arthur, Spring Lake and Milwaukee in Legislative District No. 41; Fairway, Merrihill, Petrovitsky, Iowa, Darlene and Tukwila No. 1 through Tukwila No. 5; and Renthree, Thorndyke, Galway, Showalter, Riverton, Quarry, Duwamish, Boeing, Avon, 35-21, 35-16, 35-11 and 35-12 in Legislative District No. 35. Councilman District No. 7 shall consist of all precincts on Vashon Island and Maury Island and the following perimeter precincts and all precincts lying within them: Virginia, Nokomis, Seahurst, Seapark, Shoreview, Shorewood, Seola, Qualheim, Aquaview, Greene, Wynona, Mount View, Kingston, Greendale, Marian and Sylvan in Legislative District No. 31; Florina, Emeline, South Park, Danish, Meath, Military Road, Charlotte, Val-Vue, Earlcoe, Duncan, Ford, Falcon, Airport, Moriarity, McMicken, Sunrise, Emerald and Leinster in Legislative District No. 35; and Cork, Crestview, Tyee, Diane, Lakefront, Columbus, Mansion Hill, Ferdinand, Mayo, Midway, Redwood, Sequoia, Zedinick, Zenith, Des Moines No. 1 through Des Moines No. 8, Marine View, Normandy Park No. 1 through Normandy Park No. 9, Crescent, Three Tree Point and Maplewild in Legislative District No. 30. Councilman District No. 8 shall consist of: precincts 33-51 through 33-53, 33-57 through 33-99, 33-102 through 33-106, 33-108 and 34-1 through 34-95, 35-1 through 35-5, 35-13 through 35-15; and following precincts and all precincts in Legislative District No. 31 lying north of them: 31-1 through 31-64, Sunnywood, Seaview, Oakpark, Bangor, Center, Heights, and Norfolk. Councilman District No. 9 shall consist of the following perimeter precincts and all precincts lying within them: Lakeland, St. George, Pierce, Netac, Candlewood, Palisides, Lakota, Adelaide, Buenna, Delray, Redondo, Soundcrest, Woodmont, Salt Water, Seacoma, Kent No. 1 through Kent No. 27, Roosevelt, Grandview, O'Brien, Wayne, and Sue City in Legislative District 30; Fuller, Wanda, Carriage Lane in Legislative District No. 47; Lake Desire, Shadow Lake, Riverside, Pipe Line, Dorre Don, Tahoma, Hobart, Lester, Sno Pass, Chinook, Sierra, Boise, Osceola, White River, Wabash and Muckleshoot in Legislative District No. 41; and Stuck, Pacific City and Trout Lake in Legislative District No. 47. As used in this section, "precincts" refers to King County Voting Precincts as they were established by Resolution No. 35545 as passed by the Board of King County Commissioners on June 24, 1968, and all prior resolutions. Section 920. Administrative Offices and Executive Department. The initial administrative offices and executive departments of the executive branch shall include the following: 920.10. Administrative Offices. 920.10.10. Office of Budgets and Accounts. The office of budgets and accounts shall prepare a proposed annual budget for the county as provided in Article 4, shall prescribe the accounting procedures to be used by the county and shall check all disbursement requests to determine that funds have been appropriated and are available and that the requested disbursements are in accordance with the terms of the contract or appropriation ordinance under which the disbursement is to be made. 920.10.20. Office of Personnel. The office of personnel shall have the responsibilities established by Article 5 and shall perform any other duties assigned to it by the chief administration officer. 920.10.30. Office of Systems Services. The office of systems services shall establish and maintain a modern system for processing information in accordance with the needs of county government and shall provide central services for all branches of county government. 920.10.40. Office of Property and Purchasing. The office of property and purchasing shall assign the use of all real and personal property owned or leased by the county, shall maintain all property unless its maintenance is otherwise assigned by this charter, by ordinance or by the county executive, shall negotiate the lease or sale of county property, shall contract for all services and public works which are not performed by county employees and shall purchase all real and personal property purchased by the county. 920.20. Executive Departments. 920.20.10. Department of Public Works, Utilities and Transportation. The department of public works, utilities and transportation shall administer the construction and maintenance of the county road system and related facilities and shall be responsible for flood control, garbage disposal and other public works and utilities. 920.20.20. Department of Public Safety. The department of public safety shall enforce law and order, shall administer the county jail and shall be responsible for civil defense. 920.20.30. Department of Public Health. The department of public health shall administer all health programs under the control of the county including all medical services necessary to assist the department of public safety and shall perform autopsies. 920.20.40. Department of Records and Elections. The department of records and elections: shall record, file and register all documents presented to it which by general law may be recorded, filed or registered to provide constructive legal notice and all other documents specified by ordinance; shall maintain the county archives to store all county records which should not be destroyed and which are not necessary for the current operation of county government; shall be responsible for the registration of voters in unincorporated areas of the county; and shall conduct all special and general elections held in the county. 920.20.50. Department of Finance. The department of finance shall collect all county revenue, shall make all disbursements approved by the office of budgets and accounts and shall be responsible for investing county funds. 920.20.60. Department of Parks. The department of parks shall operate and develop all county parks and other recreational facilities and programs and shall be responsible for public open space and other related public community services. 920.20.70. Department of Planning. The department of planning shall prepare and present to the county council comprehensive plans for adoption by ordinance with or without amendments; shall advise all agencies of the county on planning; shall coordinate planning of the county with other governmental agencies; and shall assist the office of budgets and accounts in developing capital improvement programs and capital budgets. The department of planning shall receive and consider all zoning applications. It shall make the initial decision concerning all applications for zoning variances and conditional use permits, and its decisions shall be final unless appealed to the board of appeals. It shall consider and make recommendations to the county council concerning all applications for rezoning or original zoning. 920.20.80. Department of Building. The department of building shall be responsible for the issuance of building permits and shall administer and enforce building codes, zoning ordinances, fire regulations and other codes and regulations assigned to it. 920.30. Modification of Administrative Offices and Executive Departments. For a period of two years after the effective date of this charter, the county council shall not abolish, combine or divide the administrative offices and the executive departments specified in this section and shall not transfer the specified powers and duties from one office or department to another; except that the county council may adopt an ordinance to combine the department of planning and the budget function of the office of budgets and accounts and to combine the departments of finance and the accounting function of the office of budgets and accounts. Section 930. County Commissioners. Unless he resigns or seeks nomination to the office of county executive or county assessor, a county commissioner elected at the general election in November 1966 or November 1968 shall be entitled to assume a position as a councilman on the county council established by this charter and shall represent the councilman district established by this charter in which he resides on September 1, 1968, in which case a special election for the first councilman for that district shall not be held. Section 940. County Assessor. Unless he resigns or seeks nomination to the office of county executive or councilman, the county assessor elected at the general election in 1966 shall be entitled to assume the position as the county assessor established by this charter in which case a special election for the first county assessor after the adoption of this charter shall not be held. Section 950. Commencement and Terms of Office. The terms of office of officers elected at the special election on March 11, 1969, and the county commissioners or assessor elected at the general elections in 1966 or 1968 who assume positions as councilmen or assessor in the offices established by this charter, shall commence on May 1, 1969. The terms of office of the county assessor and councilmen representing even numbered districts shall expire when their successors are elected at the general election 1971, have qualified and have commenced their terms of office. The terms of office of the county executive and councilmen representing odd numbered districts shall expire when their successors are elected at the general election in 1973, have qualified and have commenced their terms of office. Section 960. Compensation. The councilmen and county assessor who take office on the effective date of this charter shall receive during their first term of office under this charter the compensation specified by general law for county commissioners and county assessors, respectively. The county executive who takes office on the effective date of this charter shall receive during his first term of office under this charter one and one-half times the compensation paid to a councilman. Thereafter all compensation shall be established by the county council by ordinance. Section 970. The Personnel System. 970.10. Personnel Board Members. The original members of the personnel board shall be appointed and confirmed or elected by June 1, 1969. The appointed members shall be appointed for the following terms: one for a five year term, one for a four year term, one for a three year term and one for a two year term; and the member elected by the members of the career service shall be elected for one year. Thereafter, any new appointment or election, except to fill out an unexpired term, shall be for a five year term. 970.20. Effective Date. The county executive shall present to the county council a proposed ordinance containing a comprehensive set of personnel rules as soon as possible, and the effective date of the personnel system shall be no later than January 1, 1970. Prior to the effective date of the personnel system, each employee shall be appointed, promoted, suspended and removed by the officer in whose office he serves. 970.30. Elective County Officers. Every elected county officer except a county commissioner whose office is abolished or made appointive by the adoption of this charter and who holds office on the effective date of this charter shall be continued in county employment at the rate of compensation specified by general law for the office which he held on the effective date of this charter until the date when the term of office to which he was elected would have expired but for the adoption of this charter; and, thereafter, he shall be entitled to be appointed at the same rate of compensation to an administrative position covered by the career service subject to all of the rules of the personnel system including rules concerning compulsory retirement but excluding the rules concerning initial appointment. 970.40. County Employees. A non-elective county officer or employee employed by the county on the effective date of the personnel system shall be entitled to be appointed to a similar position covered by the career service for which he is qualified subject to all of the personnel rules including those concerning compulsory retirement but excluding the rules concerning initial appointments; provided, however, that a county employee who was employed by the county on June 1, 1968, and was involuntarily suspended, demoted or removed without just cause prior to the effective date of the personnel system shall have a preferential right to be appointed to a position covered by the career service similar to that in which he was employed on June 1, 1968. A non-elective county officer or employee employed in a position which is not covered by the career service on the effective date of the personnel system shall have the right to be appointed to a position which is covered by the career service which is as nearly comparable as possible to the position which he held on the effective date of the personnel system when he is removed from the position subject to all of the rules of the personnel system including rules concerning compulsory retirement but excluding the rules concerning initial appointment. 970.50. Sheriff's Civil Service System. The sheriff's civil service system as provided by general law shall continue in full force and effect for a period of two years after the effective date of the personnel system. At the end of the two year period, the county council may by ordinance provide that the sheriff's civil service commission be terminated and that its duties be assumed by the personnel system established by this charter. In such an event, the personnel rules adopted by the county council shall not be applied so as to decrease or eliminate any of the rights, privileges and protections granted to the deputy sheriffs and other employees covered by the sheriff's civil service system except to the extent permitted by the state constitution and general law; and, if a personnel rule cannot be applied to the deputy sheriffs and other employees covered by the sheriff's civil service system, the county council may adopt special rules which will apply only to the deputy sheriffs and other employees covered by the sheriff's civil service system. Section 980. Board of Appeals. The original members of the board of appeals shall be appointed and confirmed by June 1, 1969, and shall be appointed for the following terms: two for a four year term, two for a three year term, two for a two year term and one for a one year term. Thereafter, any new appointment, except to fill out an unexpired term, and any reappointment shall be for a four year term. Section 990. Transition. Except as provided by this article, the terms of office of elective county officers subject to this charter holding office on April 30, 1969, shall terminate on the effective date of this charter. All appointed officers and employees holding office on the effective date of this charter shall continue in the performance of their duties until their successors are appointed or until their duties are transferred, altered or abolished in accordance with the provisions of this charter. All boards and commissions whose functions have not been transferred by this charter to another agency of county government established by this charter shall continue to function for one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this charter, at the end of which time they are hereby abolished unless re-established or continued by ordinance. All ordinances, resolutions and other official actions of the board of county commissioners which are in effect on the effective date of this charter and which are not inconsistent with this charter shall continue in effect until they are amended, repealed or superseded in accordance with the provisions of this charter. All rights, claims, actions, orders, obligations, proceedings and contracts existing on the effective date of this charter shall not be affected by the adoption of this charter. RESOLUTION
Lyle R. Schneider Richard P. Albrecht Donald N. McDonald Robert J. Black Terrence R. McKenna Howard E. Bothell Lois H. North James P. Curran James N. O'Connor Robert Eberle Virginia K. Gunby Paul S. Friedlander Simon Wampold Jack M. Geoffroy FREEHOLDER STAFF: Paul R. Meyer, Executive Secretary John H. Strasburger, Legal Counsel, representing the law firm of Short, Cressmen & Cable Helen Grigsby, Secretary CONSULTANTS: Others who have assisted the freeholders during the course of their deliberations in various capacities include: Virginia Galle, Research Consultant; Raj Joshi, Urban Planning Consultant; John A. Donaho, Management Consultant; Nancy Goodfellow, transcription. For more information about the King County Charter, please contact:
400 Yesler Way, Room 700 Seattle, WA 98104 Tel: 296-8748 Fax: 205-5344 E-Mail: donna.gordon@metrokc.gov
INDEX TO CHARTER AMENDMENTS
For more information about the King County Charter or the 1996-1997
Charter Review process, please call (206) 296-4040 or send your inquiry by
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Updated: February 21, 1998
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