May 16, 2007

King County considers charter changes: Resident input requested as 40th anniversary approaches

For the first time in a decade, King County residents will have a chance to make changes to the county charter – the document that operates much like the county's constitution, providing the framework for how the region is governed.

Every 10 years, the county must convene a committee of citizens to review the charter and take feedback from the public on potential changes to how county government is set up and how it operates.

The 2007-2008 King County Charter Review Commission convened in February. The Commission will be hosting nine public meetings – one in each county district – in June and July to hear public comments and gather potential charter changes. T he commission has already received proposed charter changes from organizations such as community groups, tribes, political parties, the League of Women Voters, and the Municipal League, among others. Individual citizens will also be able to give input at any of the meetings, including those not in their districts. Citizens can also provide written comments by mail, web form, e-mail, or verbally by phone.

Voters have final say

"The role of the commission is to facilitate the process and review the information provided by the public," said commission co-chair Mike Lowry. "From those discussions, we will recommend charter amendments and revisions to the County Council in May 2008."

"Ultimately though, the voters make the call," said Lois North, co-chair. "The recommendations that are approved by the Council will be put on the November 2008 ballot for voter approval. After the election, the commission's job is over. We will dissolve and a new commission will not convene again for up to 10 years. So it's important that residents make their wishes known at the June and July meetings."

The charter is currently approaching its 40th anniversary. Voters approved King County's charter in November 1968 and it took effect on May 1, 1969, making local voters the first in the State of Washington to adopt a home rule charter as allowed under state statutes.  The home rule provision allows counties to adopt rules that can change their form of government and/or create requirements for the operation of government beyond those required in the State constitution.

The full county charter is available online at http://www.metrokc.gov/exec/charter/charterr.htm.

Residents can submit comments and changes to the charter by attending a public meeting, on the web, by email at charter.review@metrokc.gov, or by calling Charter Review Coordinator Mark Yango at (206) 296-4628.

More information and a list of commission members are available on the Charter Review Commission's Web site.

Schedule of Meetings

Related information

• Charter Review Web Site
• King County Charter
• Sims appoints commission to begin King County Charter Review