Constantine proposes new department to focus on unincorporated area

The department would focus on areas including Fairwood, East Renton and Skyway.

By Sarah Brenden • January 24, 2018 12:33 pm
Constantine proposes new department to focus on unincorporated area

On Jan. 22 King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed combining the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review with other county functions to create a department that would focus on needs of those in unincorporated areas, including Fairwood, East Renton and Skyway among others.

According to a media release, the proposed Department of Local Services would include:

• Road Services and Airport Divisions of the Department of Transportation,

• Community Service Area program of the Department of Natural Resources and Parks,

• On-site Septic System and Plumbing & Gas Piping programs from the Environmental Health Division of Public Health-Seattle & King County.

Constantine named Harold Taniguchi, director of the King County Department of Transportation, to manage the transition, the release stated.

The release added the proposal calls for the new department to take effect Jan. 1, 2019.