Update: Nearly 200 residents attend Rural Roundtable in Maple Valley

Nearly 200 rural residents of southeast King County turned out for a Council Town Hall Meeting on July 23 that featured a roundtable discussion with unincorporated area representatives and local mayors from Maple Valley, Covington, Black Diamond, and Enumclaw.

Rural Ombudsman David Spohr also provided a briefing on his first year of work. The position was created by the Council in 2006 in order to help residents of rural area better navigate the county system.

Representatives from King County agencies that provide rural services were on hand to discuss issues with the public, including those from Public Health, the Department of Development and Environmental Services, King Conservation District, Roads, Agriculture, Forestry, current use taxation, floodplain management, and noxious weeds.

Rural Roundtable in Maple Valley

Please join the King County Council for a Town Hall Meeting in Maple Valley on the issues facing the rural and developing areas of southeast King County.

The Town Hall will feature a roundtable discussion with local mayors and Unincorporated Area Council representatives on the issues facing southeast King County and how partnerships with County government can be strengthened. The Council is the primary local government for unincorporated area residents and partners with cities on a wide range of issues.

Councilmembers and local residents will also receive a briefing from Rural Ombudsman David Spohr. Spohr, who was appointed Rural Ombudsman in 2006, will report on his first year of work.

Audience members will have an opportunity to question presenters and panelists. At the conclusion of business, the Council will also take public testimony on any issue.

Representatives from a variety of King County departments that provide services to unincorporated residents will be in attendance and available to discuss issues with the public.

The meeting will be held on Monday, July 23 at the Lake Wilderness Lodge at
22500 SE 248th Street in Maple Valley. The public is invited to meet face-to-face with King County Councilmembers at an informal reception starting at 9:30 a.m. The program will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

The County Council is a regional government committed to engaging King County residents in their local communities. Throughout the year, the Council holds local Town Hall Meetings on issues of public importance. Community members have the opportunity to meet Councilmembers, be briefed by local and regional experts, and provide public testimony.

Each Town Hall is a special meeting of the Council’s Committee-of-the-Whole (COW), the only standing committee on which all nine members serve. COW considers legislation and policy issues of interest to the entire council.

Recent town hall meetings have been held in Shoreline, Seattle, Redmond, Renton, West Seattle, Carnation, Auburn, and Bellevue.

Questions? Please email CouncilTownHall@KingCounty.gov or call 206-296-0335.