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King County executive lays out ‘four B’s’ and pledges more boots on the ground for Southeast King County
Summary
King County Executive Girmay Zahalai used the Tri‑City meeting to outline four priorities—breaking the cycle, building for affordability, boots on the ground and better government—and told Covington, Black Diamond and Maple Valley leaders the county will increase regional staffing and grant coordination. He also described steps to address sheriffs’ vacancies and homelessness trends.
King County Executive Girmay Zahalai told leaders from Covington, Black Diamond and Maple Valley that his office will prioritize four goals—"breaking the cycle," "building for affordability," "boots on the ground" and "better government"—as the county responds to rising homelessness, public‑safety concerns and regional growth.
Zahalai opened his remarks by explaining the county government’s scale and role in regional services and emergency response. "King County is a government of 18,000 hardworking personnel who deliver services through 11 departments to 2,300,000 people," he said, framing his priorities as a way to focus limited resources.
Why it matters: the three cities sit in a…
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