On Tuesday, October 15, the King County Council voted unanimously to approve the 2025-2029 KCD Rate Renewal. This 5-year rate renewal provides KCD with our primary source of funding to continue to provide critical natural resource conservation programs and resources.
Thank you to our community, partners, and cooperators that came to listening sessions, provided feedback on the proposal, and contacted councilmembers to show your support. We’re looking forward to rolling up our sleaves and continuing to work to enhance King County’s waters, forests, and soils over the next five years.
Below is the final hearing with public testimony and comments from councilmembers. A special thanks to those who made the time to come out and speak on KCD’s behalf.
2025-2029 KCD Interlocal Agreement ILA with King County
Public Testimony on KCD’s Rate Renewal. [18:30-33:30] (Also includes testimony on other matters before the council.)
Council discussion and vote on KCD’s Rate Renewal. [34:55-42:10]
The current King Conservation District (KCD) program of work and supporting rate structure will expire in December of 2024. KCD is working with program participants, partner organizations, and other stakeholders to update our program of work and secure a three or five-year agreement with King County to continue funding our critical conservation services.
About
Since 1949, King Conservation District (KCD) has provided education, technical assistance, and financial help to people stewarding the natural resources of King County. Private residents manage a significant portion of King County’s streams, lakes, forests, and agricultural lands and KCD has been a long-trusted partner in assisting them to improve water quality and soil health, increase tree canopy, reduce wildfire risk, and bolster local food systems.
Mission
We empower people to conserve and enhance soil, water, food systems, forest, and habitat-now and for future generations.
Approach
King County’s natural resources are interconnected. Assisting private residents to make improvements to their natural resources benefits us all. Reducing pollutants upstream improves water quality downstream. Increasing tree canopy in urban parks improves air quality across the region. Connecting local growers directly to customers improves economic viability and food access. Educating the public about natural resource conservation empowers them to take positive actions in their homes and in their communities.
Rate Renewal
Since 2013, KCD has been primarily funded through a rates and charges interlocal agreement with King County. Rate payers currently pay approximately $13 per parcel funding $8.7 million of services each year. KCD is seeking a 5-year rate renewal with King County that maintains existing programming while placing a renewed emphasis on the equity and climate resilience aspects of KCD’s work. The proposal calls for a modest inflationary adjustment of 2.6% each year. A successful renewal is essential for KCD to continue providing critical environmental conservation services in King County.
KCD Proposed Rates Renewal ILA Transmittal July 2024
2025-2029 King CD Rates and Charges Report Final – July 2024
Timeline
- May – Community Listening Sessions
- July 9 – KCD Board Hearing on 2025 Rate Renewal Proposal
- September 24 – King County Council Committee of the Whole Introduction of Proposed Ordinance
(External Link to King County Council Agenda and Packet) - October 15 – King County Council Hearing on 2025 Rate Renewal Proposed Ordinance
(External Link to King County Council. Agenda and Packet will be posted the Thursday before the meeting.)
Get Involved
Help KCD secure a 2025-2029 Rate Renewal by reaching out and expressing your support to your King County Councilmember.
1) Look up your King County Councilmember
2) Send them an email asking them to support KCD’s upcoming Rate Renewal proposal
3) You can use the template below or craft your own message!
Subject: King Conservation District Rate Renewal Support
Dear Councilmember _______________,
Please support the 2025 through 2029 funding renewal for King Conservation District.
For more than 70 years, King Conservation District (KCD) has offered critical conservation assistance to residents of King County. Their knowledgeable staff provide education, technical assistance, and financial support to people working to improve soil health, water quality, tree canopy, and our local food systems. This help is crucial to protecting and enhancing the natural resources we all share.
Since 2015, KCD has engaged 4,000 volunteers, educated 5,000 conservation stewards, enhanced 18 miles of riparian shoreline, brought over 1,000 farm acres back into production, and improved 100 acres of urban tree canopy.
I urge you to vote for this funding renewal so that KCD can continue to provide these important services.
Name
Partial Address (So Councilmember knows you are a constituent)
If you have questions, please email Engagement Program Manager Mark Dostal at mark.dostal@kingcd.org.