In a talk to the Burien Lions Club Aug. 10, King County Executive Dow Constantine outlined the county's accomplishments and said he is not running for governor-this time around.

Constantine previously represented the Burien area as a King County councilman and state legislator.

"We've got a lot done in the first year,' Constantine noted in referring to his first year heading county government.

He pointed to funding for the South Park Bridge, lessening of the Kent Valley flood threat and completing of the Brightwater sewer treatment plant that is set to open next month.

Constantine also said county officials and lawmakers overcame a $60 million shortfall "to balance a budget that is sustainable for future successes."

Departments have been instructed to identify 3 per cent "efficiencies" in their departments for each of the next three years, according to Constantine. That way budget cuts can be made in coming years without having to cut services or layoff employees.

The Executive noted that health care for employees is a large expense in the county budget. He said by encouraging more employees to sign up for Group Health coverage, the county has saved $4,000 per employee and $8.5 million a year.

Getting workers into employee wellness programs has helped the county spend $26 million less this year on health care costs, Constantine noted.

He also pointed to improvements in the county's animal control services with its new regional model.
Euthanasia rates at county shelters have dropped from 40 percent to 14 percent, Constantine reported.

"Sadly, Burien is not a part of the regional model," Constantine said. "When the renewal period comes up we would welcome Burien."

Burien has opted to run its own animal control services under a contract with a nonprofit group. The arrangement has generated complaints from some Burien residents. SeaTac and Tukwila are part of the county system while Des Moines and Normandy Park employ their own animal control officer.

Constantine also touted the $20 car tab fee that he proposed to the county council to help pay for bus service. He said if the council or voters do not approve the fee, Metro plans to cut bus service by 17 percent. That would adversely affect four out five bus riders and put 15,000 additional cars on the roadway each weekday, Constantine added.

But his biggest challenge now is creating more jobs, Constantine noted.

The council has approved opening up the old north parking lot of the Kingdome for development, Constantine said.

Other public infrastructure projects, such as the Alaskan Way tunnel, light-rail expansion and replacement of the SR 520 bridge, should move forward, he said.

"We can put people to work now," Constantine declared. "There is no more time for dithering and old-style politics.

"We are one big metro area with one big economy and we should treat it as such."

As for a new job for him, Constantine ruled out a run for governor in 2012. However, he did not dismiss a bid for the governorship in the future.

"If I follow through on (my county) agenda, it would be a good basis to run for higher office," Constantine concluded. "But I have to follow through on this job first."

White Center Library Guild president Rachael Levine pressed Constantine on the library system's plans to close the White Center and Boulevard Park libraries and build a new library.

Constantine noted the library system is a special district not under his control. He does appoint library board members.

"I can be influential but I can't tell the board what to do," Constantine said.