(The Center Square) – King County Executive-elect Girmay Zahilay’s 60-day transition will focus on government efficiency, homelessness, and affordability ahead of his Nov. 25 swearing-in.
Zahilay will assume office five weeks earlier than usual because he is replacing an appointed executive, Shannon Braddock, who has been filling the role since the resignation of Dow Constantine in April to become CEO of Sound Transit.
Braddock joined Zahilay at Monday’s introductory press conference, saying she was confident in the incoming county executive.
“I know King County will be in good hands once we complete the transition,” Braddock said.
Zahilay’s transition team will be led by four co-chairs including Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, MLK Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Katie Garrow, Seattle Indian Health Board CEO Esther Lucero, and Vault89 CEO Doug Baldwin, a former wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks.
The transition committee – made up of 100 local elected officials, nonprofit leaders, labor union workers, and more – will be broken down into four focus groups that will prioritize what Zahilay called “the four B’s for a better future”:
Breaking the cycle of homelessness, crime and addictionBuilding better governmentA boots-on-the-ground approachBuilding more affordable housing
“We’re facing some of the toughest challenges in our region’s history – from homelessness to a skyrocketing cost of living, from public safety issues to a federal government that continues to cut off vital resources,” Zahilay said in a statement. “This is our moment to reset.”
These four issues were priorities of Zahilay’s campaign leading up to his election win earlier this month. It was a close race with fellow Councilmember Claudia Balducci, with Zahilay collecting 53.9% of the total vote.
In regards to affordability, Zahilay said the county will need to increase the supply of housing, child care, transit and business opportunities through accelerated permitting timelines, while improving coordination across the region and sectors.
The full transition committee is set to have its first meeting on Thursday, followed by breaking into the four subcommittees that will produce a final report by Dec. 8.
