1980

• County Council adopts ordinance 4828, establishing the King County Landmarks Commission.
• First in-depth countywide assessment of women's needs is conducted. Findings include the need for "more government funded services, improved accessibility of services with multilingual and culturally sensitive staff."
• King County population is 1,269,749.
• King County automates the recording of marriage licenses. Marriage licenses are no longer recorded in ledgers by hand.

• A special mental health unit begins operating in the King County Correctional Facility.
• Enhanced countywide 9-1-1 system is implemented.

• Intensive mental health community support program services began in King County.
• Washington State Legislature revised the Community Mental Health Services Act (RCW 71.24) defining priority populations and establishing community support services as the service of choice.
• King County enacts Fair Employment ordinance.
• Willowmoor (Clise Residence) is designated as the County's first landmark property.

• County Council passes motion #5772 adopting the King County Executive Task Force's "Mental Health Goals and Objectives."

• Metro study documents serious toxic pollution problems, including those in Elliot Bay.

• The 1985 King County Comprehensive Land Use Plan is adopted after ten years' work.
• Last year Metro timetables are done manually by typewriter.

• Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South is dedicated.
• King County Child Care Program is created as a direct result of a child care needs assessment conducted by the King County Women's Program.
• Construction permits in King County increase, by 1988, the volume of building activity characterized as a "boom."
• King County Transportation Plan is developed; plan includes a comprehensive list of 800 recommended road improvements to serve transportation needs through the year 2000.
• By a 2-to-1 margin, King County voters approve an advisory measure calling for accelerated planning to begin rail service by the year 2000.

• King County Veterans Program adds mental health counseling.
• King County enacts Public Accommodations ordinance and opens the Dutch Shisler Center.
• King County recycling program established.
• King County Affirmative Action Program renamed King County Office of Civil Rights and Compliance. The enactment of anti-discrimination legislation in the 1980s and the addition of the minority/women's business program changed the focus of the organization
• The parks department adopts King County "Open Space Plan."
• The advent of health and human services brings an increase in funding for the Women's Program. This results in work heavily weighed toward planning, coordination, contract development and management.
• The county prepares its f irst "Voters' Guide."

• King County Childcare program begins work with five county shelters for homeless families.
• King County Prosecutor's Offices creates Kid's Court, an award-winning court awareness program that helps victims of sexual abuse and their families understand the court process and deal with the difficulties of testifying in court.

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