West Seattle's King County Councilman Dow Constantine was unanimously named by the council last week as a member of the Sound Transit board and also to be chairman of the council's Operating Budget Committee.
"I am very pleased to be joining the Sound Transit Board," Constantine said. "My district includes large portions of the Link Light Rail alignment and I am eager to provide representation to the communities along the line. Sound Transit has already created an effective network of express buses and commuter rail and I'm looking forward to helping further expand transit options for residents of our region."
The Sound Transit Board appointment is for a two-year term.
The 2006 reorganization plan was approved by the council splits the former budget and fiscal management committee into a capital budget committee and an operating budget committee. Meetings of the two committees are expected to alternate on the council calendar. Constantine, a four-year member of the Council's Budget Leadership Team, will chair the Operating Budget Committee, while Councilmember Bob Ferguson will chair the Capital Budget Committee.
"During our annual budget deliberations we found it helpful to examine the funding for day-to-day county operations and services separately from the big-ticket capital construction projects we undertake to serve public needs," he said. "It makes sense to continue that focus throughout the year."
Constantine will also serve as chair of the Council's newly-created Growth Management and Natural Resources Committee whose duties were formerly divided between two committees.
"Several years ago we merged the law and justice and human services committees and the combined focus helped us control jail populations by emphasizing prevention over detention. Applying this same approach to growth management and natural resources will help us break down 'policy silos' and make better-informed decisions about land use and protection of our environment and open spaces," said Constantine, who chaired the former Growth Management and Unincorporated Areas Committee for the past two years.
