File #: 2023-0313    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 9/19/2023 In control: Government Accountability and Oversight Committee
On agenda: Final action: 10/24/2023
Enactment date: Enactment #: 19682
Title: AN ORDINANCE establishing bond amounts for certain officers and employees of King County; and adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 3.
Sponsors: Pete von Reichbauer
Indexes: Bonds, King County
Attachments: 1. Ordinance 19682, 2. 2023-0313 transmittal letter, 3. 2023-0313 Fiscal Note, 4. 2023-0313 Legislative Review Form, 5. 2023-0313 ATT1 Proposed Ordinance, 6. 2023-0313.1_AMDS1_Striking_Amendment_Technical bar, 7. 2023-0313_RevisedSR_Establish_Bond_Amounts, 8. 2023-0313_SR_Establish_Bond_Amounts
Staff: Kim, Andrew

Drafter

Clerk 10/10/2023

Title

AN ORDINANCE establishing bond amounts for certain officers and employees of King County; and adding a new chapter to K.C.C. Title 3.

Body

PREAMBLE:

King County is a home rule charter county under Article XI, Section 4 of the Washington State Constitution.

The King County Charter properly designates county officers and employees necessary to carry out functions of the county.

RCW 2.32.180 and 36.16.050 require some county officers and employees to post official bonds conditioned on faithful performance of the officers' or employees' official duties.

RCW 3.34.090 and 36.16.050 gives the county council authority to set bond amounts for certain county officers and employees.

                     BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:

                     SECTION 1.  Section 2 of this ordinance should constitute a new chapter in K.C.C. Title 3.

                     NEW SECTION.  SECTION 2.

                     A.1.  County officers and employees specified in this section shall, before commencing duties of their office, coordinate with the office of risk management services to furnish official bonds conditioned on faithfully performing the duties of their offices.  The bonds shall be in the following amounts:

                     Assessor                     $50,000.00

                     Chief medical examiner                     $5,000.00

                     Councilmember                     $25,000.00

                     Director of the department of elections                     $10,000.00

                     Director of the department of judicial administration                     $100,000.00

                     Executive                     $25,000.00

                     Manager of the records and licensing services division                     $10,000.00

                     Prosecuting attorney                     $5,000.00

                     Sheriff                     $50,000.00

                     Treasurer                     $100,000.00

                     Each district court judge, district court judge pro                     $20,000.00

                     tempore, district court commissioner, clerk of the

                     district court, and court employee

                     Official court reporters, including reporters pro tempore                     $2,000.00

                     for the superior court

                       2.  The bonds required in subsection A.1. of this section may be satisfied by a blanket bond assuring coverage at an amount not less than that stated in subsection A.1. of this section.  The cost of any bond shall be borne by the county.

                     B.  The bonds in subsection A. of this section shall be furnished by a surety company authorized to do business in this state.  Each bond shall be valid for the officer's full term, subject to earlier termination if the bonded officer leaves office.  If the officer is not an elected official, the bond shall be valid until cancelled.

                     C.  The bonds in subsection A. of this section shall be filed with the director of the department of judicial administration, except the bond of the director of the department of judicial administration shall be filed with the treasurer.