Ron Sims is 2008 County Leader of the Year

Calling the King County Executive's collaborative, holistic approach to problem solving "the genius" in his leadership style, American City & County Magazine today named Ron Sims the County Leader of the Year for 2008. Sims received the prestigious award Monday to a standing ovation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Counties in Kansas City, Missouri.

In a cover story, the magazine says "County Leader of the Year Ron Sims finds common ground to solve King County, Wash.'s pressing problems," It relates Sims taking innovative approaches to solving local impacts of problems of national importance such as adapting to climate change, reforming health care and reducing traffic congestion to benefit county residents. The article notes that Sims' ability to identify issues and move to successful solutions often makes King County's work a model for other governments.

Learn more...

Sims will appeal land use decision by Court of Appeals

King County will seek Washington Supreme Court review of the recent Court of Appeals decision striking down a portion of King County's Clearing and Grading Code. Executive Ron Sims says the Appeals Court decision is not consistent with long-standing standards for how local governments regulate land use and zoning. Learn more...

Skyrocketing fuel costs prompt proposal to boost Metro Transit fares

With Metro Transit ridership and diesel fuel prices at record levels, King County Executive Ron Sims today announced he will preserve current service and continue delivering new service by proposing a 25-cent fare increase. Sims opted for the proposed increase rather than cut service to pay for fuel costs that have skyrocketed over 60 percent this year alone.

“This worldwide fuel crisis comes at a time of historic ridership growth for Metro Transit – and is the reason why residents are turning to transit in record numbers as their own budgets are squeezed,” Sims said. “But, the same rising fuel costs contributing to Metro’s popularity are making it more expensive to deliver service and maintain aggressive transit-growth plans.

“This fare increase will allow us to continue to move forward in an effort to meet the extraordinary demand for more transit, not slip backward at a time when these services are needed the most,” Sims said

Metro had budgeted $2.60 per gallon for diesel this year. Now, due to the dramatic spike in fuel costs, it anticipates paying an average of $3.86 per gallon in 2008. That cost difference will create a deficit of more than $14 million in 2008, despite a fare increase earlier this year to cushion the impact of rising operational costs.Learn more...

Related information

News Release
Transmittal letter from King County Executive Ron Sims (596KB PDF)
Proposed ordinance (29KB PDF)
Q & A (31KB PDF)
Keep Metro rolling, Seattle Times
Rising fuel costs to increase bus fares, Seattle Post Intelligencer
25-cent Metro fare increase proposed, Seattle Times
25-cent fare hike for Metro Transit proposed, King 5

Executive feature archives

Sims to honor U.S. Army Veterans of the 1944 Fort Lawton court martial

Sims to join local leaders in a series of tributes, July 24-27, to honor U.S. Army veterans who were part of the historic court martial at Seattle’s Fort Lawton. The events will honor the 43 African American soldiers who were unjustly accused, and, of which, 28 were convicted of rioting and two of manslaughter, in the largest U.S. Army court-martial of WW II. Learn more...

Executive Ron Sims offers welcoming remarks at APTA

King County Executive Ron Sims offers welcoming remarks at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) board workshop underway this week in Seattle. As part of his remarks, Executive Sims discussed Metro's success in responding to historic demand for transit service as it copes with the challenges associated with record fuel prices. He also encouraged transit agencies to join King County in emphasizing reliance on renewable energy sources in an effort to reduce the impacts of climate change. The APTA workshop runs through Tuesday.

Jail health program receives national accreditation

An independent panel of nurse and physician auditors evaluated the jail health operations on site, based on rigorous national standards set by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). Nationally, about 20 percent of inmates in jails and prisons are in NCCHC-accredited facilities. Learn more...

King County Landmarks Commission wins 2008 NAPC Commission Excellence Award

The King County Landmarks Commission was honored in the category of Best Practices for Identification and Registration for its Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative, a comprehensive initiative to identify, protect, and promote the preservation of the county’s historic barns. Learn more (pdf)...

Blog: CAO Ruling

The week started off with a major ruling from the Court of Appeals striking down the clearing limits provisions of King County’s Critical Areas Ordinance. After consulting with the Prosecutor, I’ve decided to appeal the decision to the Washington Supreme Court. Read the blog...

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Speeches Excellence in Government Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims Efficient, effective and innovative service You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print Ron Sims is 2008 County Leader of the Year Calling the King County Executive's collaborative, holistic approach to problem solving "the genius" in his leadership style, American City & County Magazine today named Ron Sims the County Leader of the Year for 2008. Sims received the prestigious award Monday to a standing ovation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Counties in Kansas City, Missouri. In a cover story, the magazine says "County Leader of the Year Ron Sims finds common ground to solve King County, Wash.'s pressing problems," It relates Sims taking innovative approaches to solving local impacts of problems of national importance such as adapting to climate change, reforming health care and reducing traffic congestion to benefit county residents. The article notes that Sims' ability to identify issues and move to successful solutions often makes King County's work a model for other governments. Learn more... Sims will appeal land use decision by Court of Appeals King County will seek Washington Supreme Court review of the recent Court of Appeals decision striking down a portion of King County's Clearing and Grading Code. Executive Ron Sims says the Appeals Court decision is not consistent with long-standing standards for how local governments regulate land use and zoning. Learn more... Read frequently asked questions regarding the ruling The land clash: Can we preserve the green? Seattle Times Skyrocketing fuel costs prompt proposal to boost Metro Transit fares With Metro Transit ridership and diesel fuel prices at record levels, King County Executive Ron Sims today announced he will preserve current service and continue delivering new service by proposing a 25-cent fare increase. Sims opted for the proposed increase rather than cut service to pay for fuel costs that have skyrocketed over 60 percent this year alone. “This worldwide fuel crisis comes at a time of historic ridership growth for Metro Transit – and is the reason why residents are turning to transit in record numbers as their own budgets are squeezed,” Sims said. “But, the same rising fuel costs contributing to Metro’s popularity are making it more expensive to deliver service and maintain aggressive transit-growth plans. “This fare increase will allow us to continue to move forward in an effort to meet the extraordinary demand for more transit, not slip backward at a time when these services are needed the most,” Sims said Metro had budgeted $2.60 per gallon for diesel this year. Now, due to the dramatic spike in fuel costs, it anticipates paying an average of $3.86 per gallon in 2008. That cost difference will create a deficit of more than $14 million in 2008, despite a fare increase earlier this year to cushion the impact of rising operational costs.Learn more... Related information News Release Transmittal letter from King County Executive Ron Sims (596KB PDF) Proposed ordinance (29KB PDF) Q & A (31KB PDF) Keep Metro rolling, Seattle Times Rising fuel costs to increase bus fares, Seattle Post Intelligencer 25-cent Metro fare increase proposed, Seattle Times 25-cent fare hike for Metro Transit proposed, King 5 Executive feature archives Sims to honor U.S. Army Veterans of the 1944 Fort Lawton court martial Sims to join local leaders in a series of tributes, July 24-27, to honor U.S. Army veterans who were part of the historic court martial at Seattle’s Fort Lawton. The events will honor the 43 African American soldiers who were unjustly accused, and, of which, 28 were convicted of rioting and two of manslaughter, in the largest U.S. Army court-martial of WW II. Learn more... Executive Ron Sims offers welcoming remarks at APTA King County Executive Ron Sims offers welcoming remarks at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) board workshop underway this week in Seattle. As part of his remarks, Executive Sims discussed Metro's success in responding to historic demand for transit service as it copes with the challenges associated with record fuel prices. He also encouraged transit agencies to join King County in emphasizing reliance on renewable energy sources in an effort to reduce the impacts of climate change. The APTA workshop runs through Tuesday. Jail health program receives national accreditation An independent panel of nurse and physician auditors evaluated the jail health operations on site, based on rigorous national standards set by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). Nationally, about 20 percent of inmates in jails and prisons are in NCCHC-accredited facilities. Learn more... Read frequently asked questions regarding the ruling The land clash: Can we preserve the green? Seattle Times King County Landmarks Commission wins 2008 NAPC Commission Excellence Award The King County Landmarks Commission was honored in the category of Best Practices for Identification and Registration for its Heritage Barn Preservation Initiative, a comprehensive initiative to identify, protect, and promote the preservation of the county’s historic barns. Learn more (pdf)... Blog: CAO Ruling The week started off with a major ruling from the Court of Appeals striking down the clearing limits provisions of King County’s Critical Areas Ordinance. After consulting with the Prosecutor, I’ve decided to appeal the decision to the Washington Supreme Court. Read the blog...
	To top
	Updated: July 22, 2008