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AN ORDINANCE establishing a framework for public engagement in unincorporated areas of King County.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. King County serves as a regional government for all county residents and as a local government for unincorporated area residents.
B. The unincorporated area population is two hundred eighty-four thousand one hundred, which is equivalent to the second largest city in Washington state.
C. Consistent with the Growth Management Act, urban unincorporated areas are to be annexed to cities, which are the appropriate providers of urban services.
D. Until all urban unincorporated areas are annexed, King County has a responsibility to provide services to those areas and to engage and communicate with residents.
E. Also consistent with the Growth Management Act, rural unincorporated areas are to remain under the jurisdiction of King County in perpetuity.
F. King County has an ongoing responsibility to protect rural character, rural-based economic activity and the natural environment, and to engage and communicate with rural residents.
G. To better serve unincorporated area residents, King County employs a broad spectrum of public engagement and communication practices, including the use of county boards, commissions and expert review panels; unincorporated area councils and citizen advisory groups; public meetings and forums; newsletters and press releases; surveys and questionnaires; mailed and published notice; brochures and other printed materials; and email, websites and social media.
H. Use of these practices is guided by county codes, policies established by council-enacted legislation and executive orders, administrative procedures, professional standards and other protocols.
I. In 2010, King County adopted a King County strategic plan that contains goals, objectives and strategies for public engagement.
J. The King County strategic plan provides a unifying framewor...
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