King County residents have a chance to review and comment on proposed changes to the King County Charter at four meetings in April. A year-long review of the charter by a citizen committee has produced over a dozen proposed changes to the charter that was approved by voters nearly 40 years ago in November 1968.

The charter, which serves as the county's constitution, has withstood the test of time with few changes. However, the county is required to convene a committee of citizens every 10 years to review the charter and consider whether revisions should be made to county government structures and operations to address current conditions. Public comment on the proposed changes is a critical part of the 10-year review process.

The 2007-2008 King County Charter Review Commission initially convened in February of 2007 under the leadership of co-chairs former Washington Governor Mike Lowry and former King County Councilmember Lois North. Public comment was an integral part of the 21-member Commission's exhaustive review of information while developing the proposed amendments. Before making final recommendations, the Commission's proposed amendments are now up for public review and comment.

Voters have final say

Residents may attend one of four public meetings in April to learn more and to provide comment. Written comments will also be accepted by mail, web form, e-mail, or by phone.

Schedule of Meetings

At the end of April, the Commission will discuss the public's comments and incorporate any appropriate changes into the proposed amendments. The Commission will then send its recommended charter amendments to the County Council in May 2008 to decide which amendments go onto the ballot for voters as early as this November 2008. After the election, the Commission will dissolve, and not convene again for up to 10 years.

The charter is currently approaching its 40th anniversary. Voters initially 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 the state constitution. The full county charter is available online.

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

Proposed Amendments to the County Charter

• Anti-Discrimination: Prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in county employment and contracting.
• Budget Allotments: Remove the outdated requirement that county agencies submit quarterly estimates of spending to the Executive.
• Budget Timeline: Provide the County Council with an additional 20 days to review the Executive's proposed budget, for a total of 65 days.
• Citizen Initiative: Clarify the process by which citizens may amend the charter through initiative.
• Commission Appointment Process: Clarify the Charter Review Commission appointment and confirmation process.
• Commission Proposals: Require the County Council to review and take action on all Charter Review Commission recommendations.
• Elections Deadlines: Authorize the county to establish ordinance deadlines for submitting local ballot measures to the Elections Division.
• Open space: Establish an additional layer of protection for over 100,000 acres of existing, county-owned open space properties.
• Qualifications: Permit the council to establish additional qualifications for the Assessor and Elections Director positions.
• Regional Committees: Reduce the number of councilmembers on Regional Committees, and modify the authority of Regional Committees and their non-council Committee members.
• Sheriff's Office: Require the Executive to provide for effective participation of separately elected county officials, including the Sheriff, in collective bargaining.
• Transitory Provisions: Remove no longer relevant Charter language pertaining to the county's transition to a home rule charter government and consolidation with Metro.
• Unincorporated Areas: Specify a high-level position within the Office of the Executive to represent the interests of rural and urban unincorporated area residents. Amend the charter preamble to reflect the county's commitment to unincorporated areas.

More information is available on the Charter Review Commission's website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/charter/.

Related information

• Charter Review Commission
• Full text of King County charter
• Submit comments and changes to the charter online