1960

• Population of King County is 935,014.
• Washington Supreme Court upholds agreements between Metro and Seattle, clearing way to begin implementation of sewer plan.

• The 1962 World's Fair, "Century 21 Exposition," opens in Seattle when President John F. Kennedy activates the 600-foot Space Needle by remote control.
• County arts center established at Moshier Memorial Park.
• Marymoor Park, King County's first regional park, is purchased for $1.1 million.
• U.S. Army grants Metro a 99-year easement for approximately 30 acres of land at West Point for sewage treatment plant.

• King County Sheriff's Department adds first marine patrol unit.
• Metro begins construction of its $12.9 million primary treatment plant at West Point.

• King County adopts a comprehensive zoning plan, Resolution 28742, October 13, 1964. The new plan repeals the 1958 resolution, number 18800, which established and adopted a comprehensive plan for unincorporated King County.

• Metro begins secondary waste treatment plant in Renton.
• King County acquires its first computer, an IBM 460 Model 30. The county treasurer and assessor use the computer to calculate property taxes. That year property tax statements are broken down to show how the funds are distributed between the port, library, fire and hospital districts as well as for other services provided by the county.
• The Seattle-King County Health Department becomes the first public health department to be accredited by the U. S. Public Health Service.
• 200 county citizens are appointed to the Forward Thrust Committee to prepare a balanced capital improvement program for King County.

• King County Art Commission is established.

• King County Parks receives National Gold Medal Award from National Sports Foundation.

• King County Work Training Program is created.

• King County adopts a "home rule" charter. Nine-member county council and county executive form of government replaces the three-member board of county commissioners. The sheriff ceases to be an elected official and is appointed under the office of the executive.
• Park Board ends under county home rule charter; parks is reorganized as division of parks and recreation within department of community and environmental development later department of planning and community development.
• King County Mental Health Board and program (mental health-mental retardation program) established to develop and administer State funds provided for community mental health programs (King County Code 2.32.010).
• Parks Department organizes first King County Special Olympics.

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