Unincorporated Area Community News - King County Department of Local Services



*February 2026*




Colorful sign by local artist is unveiled in Skyway
skyway-mural
Artist Claudia Villalobos ________________________________________________________________________

"Photo: artist Claudia Villalobos in front of the sign she designed for the Skyway community. Villalobos has spent years bringing art to the community through pop-up workshops and more."

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Last month, King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis, representatives from King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s office, and staffers from the Department of Local Services joined the West Hill Community Association to celebrate the unveiling of a vibrant new sign in the heart of Skyway.

The 40-foot long, 4-foot tall sign is the result of a community-driven effort led by the West Hill Community Association. Funding from the Department of Local Services’ Alan M. Painter Grant Program supported its design and installation.

Read more about the project [ [link removed] ] and watch a video of the unveiling on the King County Local blog. Or you can check out the mural in person, on the east side of Renton Avenue S near the intersection with 68th Avenue S.

Learn more about King County's Alan M. Painter Grant Program [ [link removed] ], which funds community projects that help residents in unincorporated areas participate in—and be more connected to—their communities.





*Emergency Management*

► Still recovering from December storm and/or flooding? ◄

Remember to check *the King County Emergency News web page* for
the latest information about recovery resources in King County.

kcemergency.com [ [link removed] ]

 

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*Permitting Division*

If you have damaged property in unincorporated King County, remember to apply for a *damage assessment inspection online at MyBuildingPermit.com [ [link removed] ].* King County inspectors will assess damage, report their findings, and let you know about any additional permitting requirements they find. This YouTube video can walk you through the steps:

 

What to do after storm damage in unincorporated King County [ [link removed] ]

 

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*Natural Resources and Parks*

New locations added for storm debris disposal Feb. 7-8

To provide more disposal options to areas heavily impacted by recent flooding, King County Solid Waste has added more dates and an additional location for disposal of flood debris.

In response to the ongoing challenges faced by communities recovering from recent flooding, King County Solid Waste will continue to accept flood debris, including yard waste and garbage, free of charge for individual customers* on Saturdays and Sundays *through Feb. 8 at three stations and one drop site in Duvall.*

║ DUVALL DEBRIS DROP SITE

* *Taylor's Landing Park *(see map) [ [link removed] ]
16201 Main Street NE, Duvall 
Sat, Feb. 7—8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sun, Feb. 8—8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

║ STATIONS WITH FREE DEBRIS DROP-OFF*

* *Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station [ [link removed] ]* (see website) [ [link removed] ]*
*18800 Orillia Road S, Tukwila
*Garbage disposal hours
*Sat-Sun—8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
*Recycling & yard waste area hours
*Sat-Sun—8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* *Shoreline Recycling and Transfer Station [ [link removed] ]* (see website) [ [link removed] ]
2300 N 165th Street, Shoreline
Sat-Sun—8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
* *Enumclaw Recycling and Transfer Station [ [link removed] ]* (see website) [ [link removed] ]*
*1650 Battersby Avenue E, Enumclaw
Daily—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

* Free disposal is only for self-haul customers. Third-party haulers are excluded from the free disposal policy and must pay standard fees.

For a full list of accepted items at each station, see this Guide to King County Recycling and Transfer Facilities [ [link removed] ].

Find options for items that are not accepted at King County facilities [ [link removed] ]

Find information and wait times for all stations [ [link removed] ]

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*Road Services*

Guardrail program focuses on repair and replacement

Installing new guardrail ________________________________________________________________________

"Photo: crews install new guardrail down SE 208th Street from 140th Avenue SE to 148th Avenue SE in 2023."

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Railings along the sides of busy roads—or bridges, or roads with steep drops on one or both sides—are there for a good reason. They help keep vehicles from leaving the road, and they're designed to absorb impact and reduce the severity of crashes.

King County's Road Services Division works hard to maintain and improve guardrail across unincorporated King County. Its guardrail program focuses on repairing damaged guardrails and installing new ones where they're needed most.

Recently, the team has been upgrading older systems and adding new guardrail to meet modern safety standards. These improvements make the roads safer for everyone who uses them.

Learn more about the Guardrail Program on the King County website [ [link removed] ]

 



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Flashlight

*Emergency preparedness*

Be ready for power outages

December storms are in the rear-view mirror, but winter isn’t over yet. Do you know what to do if the next storm causes a power outage? Here are some tips.

*Supplies you'll need*

• Keep blankets, power banks, and warm layers close at hand when the weather starts to get cold.
• Use flashlights—not candles—for light during a power outage.
• A generator may be helpful, but *don’t use it inside your home or garage!*
• Don’t use a grill as an indoor cooking or heating source.

*Things you can do*

• Turn off appliances to prevent electrical damage when the power comes back on.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Throw out perishable food if the power outage has lasted more than four hours.
• Report downed power lines to your utility company. *Do not drive over downed power lines.
*• Check on your neighbors to see if you can help each other.

Learn more on the King County website [ [link removed] ]  |  Sign up for emergency alerts [ [link removed] ]



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*Treasury*

Property tax statements are coming soon

Property tax statements for 2026 will be mailed on February 13. If a mortgage lender pays your taxes, tax statement details are provided to them. If you pay your property taxes yourself, and you have not received a statement by March 5, there are several ways to get your tax statement:


* Request a tax statement online [ [link removed] ]
* Email King County Treasury Operations <[email protected]>
* Call 206-263-2890

*The first half of your 2026 property taxes is due by April 30. *There are several payment options [ [link removed] ]. You can also use that link to sign up for text and email reminders about your property taxes.

New in 2026, the county’s payment processor will charge a 2.35% fee for payments by debit cards as well as those made by credit cards. Consider using the *online e-check payment option,* which costs less thana postage stamp. This pulls your payment directly from your checking account. If you are planning to mail a check, please mail your payment several days before the due date to make sure there's time for it to be processed.

Learn about property tax relief programs for seniors and people with disabilities [ [link removed] ].

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*Public Health*

Need help paying for child care?

Best Starts for Kids Child Care Subsidy is enrolling now!

Child care

King County families can apply for the Best Starts Child Care subsidy in a simple two-step process:

*• Step one: *Fill out the five-minute eligibility form [ [link removed] ]. If a family appears to be eligible, they will be considered for the second step.  

*• Step two:* Families will receive an invitation by email or text to complete the full application. They then complete the full application to be considered for the subsidy. 

If approved, this child care subsidy could reduce costs by an average of about $15,500 per child each year. 

*Do you have questions or need support filling out the application? *

Best Starts for Kids has a team of multilingual specialists who can answer questions and help families complete the application. You can reach them by phone or email.

• *Call or text* the application support team at *206-208-6865
*• *Send email* to *[email protected]* 

Learn more online [ [link removed] ]



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Dog with bowl of food

*Animal services*

Get or give help at pet food banks

For pet owners experiencing economic hardship, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has a Community Pet Food Bank at its Pet Adoption Center. The center is located at 21615 64th Avenue S in Kent.

The pet food bank is open every Sunday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Dog and cat kibble (dry food) is always available. Cat litter, canned pet food, and other pet supplies are available on a limited basis, depending on donations. Information about other food banks across the Puget Sound region that also stock pet food is available on the King County website [ [link removed] ].

If you’d like to help people and pets, you can donate to RASKC online [ [link removed] ] or provide in-kind gifts. RASKC’s goal is to maximize lifesaving efforts for stray and abused animals by providing shelter, spay and neuter information, and veterinary care; spreading awareness about responsible pet ownership; and so much more.

And here's big thank-you to the many animal lovers who give generously to help RASKC help even more deserving pets!



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Opportunities ahead! Learn how to do business with King County at a free online supplier orientation session

Whether you're new to public contracting or want to sharpen your competitive edge, the county offers free online orientation sessions to give you insight into its procurement processes—plus an opportunity to ask questions. 

Upcoming sessions are tailored to specific areas of interest, so you can register for the ones that fit your business goals. Visit the county's website to learn more [ [link removed] ]. 

*• Architecture, Engineering & Professional Services Orientation
**Thursday, February 19, 10 a.m. to noon
*Learn about the contracting process, meet representatives from county contract specialist teams, and get insights on best practices to maximize your opportunities. King County will also provide tips for submitting successful proposals. Register for this session [ [link removed] ]

*• Construction Contractor Orientation
**Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m. to noon
*Meet representatives from King County's contract specialist team and learn about the county's contracting process, including how to effectively market your firm to county agencies. Will also cover tips for submitting successful bids and proposals. Register for this session [ [link removed] ]

*• Goods, Services, and Technology Orientation
**Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m. to noon *

Learn about the contracting process, get tips on submitting successful bids, and gain insight on how to market your goods and services to King County agencies. This is also a chance to meet representatives from the county's small business certification and contract specialist teams. Register for this session [ [link removed] ]

*• Doing business with King County – Emergency Response and Recovery Work*

If you haven't already, please register as a supplier through the King County Supplier Registration Portal [ [link removed] ].

While county procurement staff members can’t engage directly with all interested suppliers at this time, they will reach out through the appropriate process if a need arises that matches your services.

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*Washington State University Extension Forestry*

Upcoming WSU Extension learning opportunities for King County forest and woodland owners
Forest

The *2026 Forest Owners Winter School* will be held Saturday, February 21 at Green River College in Auburn. Designed to let you attend multiple forest stewardship workshops on the same day, with topics including wildlife, forest health, invasive weed control, and much more. Cost: $25 per individual or $40 per couple. Sponsored by Washington State University Extension, King Conservation District, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and Green River College. *Pre-registration is required.* Details and registration [ [link removed] ]

*Forest Stewardship Course for King County property owners* – Wednesday evenings starting April 8 in Enumclaw. Learn everything you need to know about caring for your wooded property, including how to write your own personalized forest stewardship plan that could help otherwise qualifying landowners save money on property taxes through King County's PBRS program [ [link removed] ]. Participants will receive a site visit to their property by a professional forester. Cost: $190. Sponsored by Washington State University Extension, King Conservation District, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. *Space is limited and pre-registration required.* Details and registration [ [link removed] ]

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Reminders
Reminder

*►* King County Conservation Futures grant applications are due on February 9 for awards of funding for 2027. Visit the Conservation Futures application page [ [link removed] ] for key information, or email [email protected] with questions.



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*Greater Maple Valley news*

Unincorporated area council seeks 4 new members

Council meeting

Founded in 1978, the 12-seat Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council is one of the longest continuously active local councils in unincorporated King County. It serves as an all-volunteer, locally recognized advisory body to King County on behalf of all rural unincorporated area residents living in the Tahoma School District.

The council currently has four open seats. If you would like to join, please either send e-mail to the council at [email protected] or attend (either in-person or virtually) a monthly meeting and express your interest. Residents, even those who do not live in the Tahoma School District, are eligible to become associate members who can serve on any area council committee (Environment, Growth Management, Transportation, Public Relations, or Train Show—see the area council’s website (gmvuac.org) and use the drop-down menu under Committees).



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Community organizations

:: Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Avenue SE, Renton

See blog [ [link removed] ] for the latest information and to confirm meetings.

:: Enumclaw Plateau Community Association

Third Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Muckleshoot Library (King County Library branch)
39917 Auburn Enumclaw Road SE, Auburn

Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information send email to [email protected].

:: Fall City Community Association

First Tuesdays – Hybrid meeting (virtual and in-person, 7-8:30 p.m.)
Fall City Fire Department meeting room
4301 334th Place SE, Fall City

The Fall City Community Association promotes building of community, proactively communicates on local issues, and takes action on selected issues that affect the Fall City community. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, and are open to the public. For more information, visit fallcity.org [ [link removed] ] or email send email <[email protected]>. 

:: Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council

Second Tuesdays – Virtual meeting via Zoom 

Visit the website [ [link removed] ] for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.

:: Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council

Monday, February 2, 7-9:30 p.m. – in person or via Zoom
Maple Valley Fire Station
22225 SE 231st Street (across from King County Sheriff’s Precinct #3)

Guest speakers will be King County Department of Local Services subarea planners on the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Subarea Plan and Tahoma School District board members on the upcoming February school levy.

Visit the website (gmvuac.org) for meeting agendas and Zoom information, which are posted a few days before each meeting.

:: Green Valley/Lake Holm Association

The Green Valley/Lake Holm Association advocates for those who live in unincorporated southeast King County. Primary goals are to maintain the community’s unique historic, agricultural, and rural character; protect the environment; and sustain quality of life in the area. They engage regularly with local government agencies to address concerns and influence policies on topics of mutual interest, such as growth and development, transportation, public safety, and flood control. Stay connected by visiting their Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

:: North Highline Unincorporated Area Council

Monthly board meetings are open to the public and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from local organizations. For more information, <[email protected]>email <[email protected]> Barbara Dobkin <[email protected]>.

:: Skyway Coalition

See the coalition's website [ [link removed] ].

:: Upper Bear Creek Community Council

For information about the council, email Patricia Gustafson <[email protected]> or visit the Facebook page [ [link removed] ] and/or website [ [link removed] ].

:: Vashon-Maury Community Council

Meetings are open to all and are held on the third Thursday of each month, both online and in-person. Topics include affordable housing, ferries, election candidates, transportation, aviation noise, and more. The council sets up committees and passes resolutions to King County and other organizations as needed. Voting membership is free and open to residents 18 and older. To learn more, visit the website [ [link removed] ].

:: West Hill Community Association

Meetings are in person or via Zoom [ [link removed] ]
Skyway Fire District 20 Admin Building
12424 76th Avenue S, Seattle

Monthly board meetings are open to the public, and often feature guest speakers in addition to community reports and information from a variety of local organizations. For more information, send email <[email protected]> or visit the website [ [link removed] ] <[email protected]>.




"Unincorporated Area Community News" is published monthly by the King County Department of Local Services. To subscribe, visit our website [ [link removed] ]. Please direct questions or comments to Anna Clemenger, ([email protected] or 206-477-3839).

Contact King County Local Services

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-477-3800 (Relay 711)
Website: kingcounty.gov/local-services [ [link removed] ]

"Para solicitar esta información en Español, sírvase llamar al 206-477-3800
""o envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a [email protected]"

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