By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
At the King County Flood Control District (Flood Control District), our mission is to implement flood risk reduction policies and projects to protect life and property while advancing various benefits including equity and social justice, sustainable livelihoods, habitat protection, salmon recovery, agriculture, recreation, and resilient communities. The foundation of this important work is a dedicated nine-member Board of Supervisors, each representing a King County Council District. To give you a closer look at their leadership, insights, and priorities, we’re launching a special three-part blog series.
In this series, each Supervisor will share their thoughts on the Flood Control District’s efforts, highlighting key projects and programs of interest to their leadership priorities and respective communities. In this first installment, we hear from Supervisors Rod Dembowski (District 1), Girmay Zahilay (District 2), and Sarah Perry (District 3 and Vice Chair of the Flood Control District). Together, these leaders represent diverse areas across the northern, central, and eastern parts of King County, including urban neighborhoods, suburban communities, and scenic rural landscapes. Their comments reflect the importance of equitable investments in flood risk reduction, environmental stewardship, and innovative approaches to addressing localized and large-scale flooding challenges.
Stay tuned as we continue to explore the perspectives of the other six Supervisors in the months ahead. We hope this series provides valuable insight into the collaborative leadership driving our work to build resilient and sustainable communities across King County.
District 1
Statement from Rod Dembowski, Supervisor for the King County Flood Control District, who proudly represents King County Council District 1, which includes Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, and Shoreline.
I am dedicated to ensuring equitable investments in flood risk reduction across every corner of our county. Our communities deserve comprehensive strategies that address both rural and urban needs, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
The King County Flood Control District (Flood Control District), like many other governments, has a need to implement capital improvement projects which far outpaces available funding. This funding gap presents a significant challenge, particularly as we strive to help protect our communities from the increasing risks associated with flooding and climate change.
To address this challenge, I led the way during the development of the 2025 budget to ensure the Flood Control District adopts a bonding policy this year. Large flood risk reduction projects, once completed, provide lasting benefits for decades. Issuing bonds to fund these large flood risk reduction projects will allow us to spread the cost of high-dollar capital projects over multiple years, making it financially feasible to undertake critical improvements while keeping tax rates for homeowners lower. By implementing this policy, we ensure that future residents who benefit from these long-term projects also contribute to their funding, promoting fairness and sustainability.
In addition to bonding, my support remains strong for programs like the Subregional Opportunity Fund Grant Program, which empowers local jurisdictions to tackle localized flooding and stormwater management challenges. This Flood Control District grant program cannot be funded with bond dollars, and an example of its success is the City of Shoreline’s use of over $450,000 for the replacement of Pump Station 26, a crucial project protecting roadways, businesses, and residences from flooding.
As we navigate these financial challenges, I remain committed to innovative and equitable solutions that secure a resilient future for all of King County.
District 2
Statement from Girmay Zahilay, Supervisor for the King County Flood Control District, who proudly represents King County Council District 2, encompassing vibrant communities such as the University District, Laurelhurst, Ravenna, Eastlake, Capitol Hill, the Central District, South Seattle, Allentown, Skyway, and Tukwila.
I am deeply committed to leading with a focus on equity, resilience, and proactive climate adaptation. Our region faces unprecedented challenges due to the threat of extreme weather events and the escalating climate crisis, and I am dedicated to ensuring our communities are well-prepared to meet these challenges head-on.
One of my key priorities is to advocate for equitable distribution of the King County Flood Control District’s (Flood Control District) resources across both rural and urban areas. Our flood risk reduction efforts must be balanced to address the diverse needs of our county, from the large river basins to localized flooding and stormwater management issues. We must ensure that all residents, regardless of location, have the infrastructure and support necessary to safeguard their homes and communities from the threats posed by flooding.
I strongly support initiatives like the Cooperative Watershed Management (CWM) Grants Program. In 2025, the Flood Control District allocated over $11.6 million to support critical habitat restoration projects through the four Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs), which are related to major river basins throughout the county. This funding represents the majority of the WRIAs annual budget. Therefore, the CWM Grants Program is instrumental in improving watershed health, restoring and protecting habitats, bolstering salmon recovery, and promoting environmental sustainability throughout King County.
As we continue to navigate the impacts of climate change, my commitment remains steadfast in driving forward comprehensive, inclusive solutions that help protect our communities, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure a resilient future for all. Together, we will build a safer, more equitable King County.
District 3
Statement from Sarah Perry, Vice Chair for the King County Flood Control District, who proudly represents King County Council District 3, a diverse and growing region including the cities and/or surrounding areas of Issaquah, Sammamish, Redmond, Woodinville, Duvall, Fall City, North Bend, Carnation, Bothell, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, and Snoqualmie Pass.
I am excited to collaborate with the King County Flood Control District’s (Flood Control District) Board of Supervisors and the vibrant communities in District 3 to address our most pressing challenges and build a promising future for all. By working together, we can ensure these natural resources continue to thrive, supporting both the ecological balance and the livelihoods of our communities.
My leadership is deeply rooted in a commitment to preserving and protecting the residents and agricultural heritage of the scenic Snoqualmie River Basin Valley. This dedication extends to all the vital tributaries feeding the Snoqualmie River, including the North, Middle, and South forks, the Raging River, the Tolt River, and others.
Additionally, I am committed to responsibly advancing flood risk reduction while including multi-benefits, where feasible, such as habitat protection, salmon recovery, sustaining productive and viable agriculture, and conserving open spaces for future generations. The Stossel Right Bank Revetment Improvement Project near Carnation, the Raging River Levee Breach Mapping and Risk Assessment by Fall City, and the North Fork Snoqualmie River Confluence Revetment Removal Project between Snoqualmie and North Bend are just a few examples of the good work happening in District 3, reducing flood risks and advancing multi-benefits.
Through thoughtful collaboration and strategic action, we can reduce the risks to our communities from the risks of flooding while fostering a resilient and sustainable environment. I look forward to continuing our work to create a safer, more vibrant King County for all its residents.
More to Come in This Series
The Flood Control District Board of Supervisors plays a pivotal role in shaping our efforts to address flooding and enhance community resilience. As you’ve seen in this first installment, Supervisors Dembowski and Zahilay and Vice Chair Perry bring unique perspectives and priorities to the table, ensuring that the needs of their constituents are represented in our work.
Next month, we’ll continue this series with insights from Supervisors representing Districts 4, 5, and 6. Together, these leaders represent communities with their own distinct challenges and opportunities. Each Supervisor’s voice is critical in ensuring that we deliver balanced, effective solutions that benefit all corners of King County.