By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director

Today, we’re diving into the vital roles of the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) Advisory Committee and the Joint Basin Technical Committee. These committees are essential in helping to shape effective flood protection strategies for our region.

The Advisory Committee: Expert Policy Advice in Action

Established by the King County Council in April 2007 through Ordinance 15728, the Advisory Committee is a cornerstone of our flood protection efforts. This committee is tasked with providing expert policy advice to the KCFCD’s Board of Supervisors, ensuring that our flood protection projects and programs are implemented efficiently and effectively.

Composition and Membership

The Advisory Committee consists of 15 members, including elected officials from various jurisdictions within King County. Here’s a breakdown of its structure:

• Permanent Seats: Held by the mayors or council member alternates from the cities of Tukwila, Auburn, Kent, Renton, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Carnation, Seattle, and Bellevue, along with the King County Executive.
• Two-Year Seats: Four seats are held by mayors or city council members nominated by the Suburban Cities Association, ensuring geographic diversity and representation of different city sizes. One seat is held by a representative from the Unincorporated Area Councils, alternating between urban and rural areas.

This diverse representation ensures that the committee can provide balanced and comprehensive recommendations on flood protection needs and priorities across King County.

Key Responsibilities

The Advisory Committee’s primary role is to review and recommend the annual work program and budget for the KCFCD. This includes evaluating capital improvement projects and funding levels. These recommendations must be submitted to the King County Council by August 31 each year. The Advisory Committee’s 2024 Budget Recommendation Letter, which was submitted on August 31, 2023, is available for review here.

The Advisory Committee typically meets three to five times per year, with additional meetings as needed. These meetings are open to the public, ensuring transparency and community involvement. Agendas and supporting materials are provided in advance, and minutes from each meeting are documented and made available for review. This summer, Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, August 7 at 1:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 14 at 9:00 a.m.
• Thursday, August 22 at 1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 29 at 9:00 a.m.

All the meetings are virtual. The log-in details are available on the Advisory Committee page on the KCFCD website.

The Joint Basin Technical Committee: Integrating Technical Expertise

Complementing the Advisory Committee is the Joint Basin Technical Committee. This committee comprises city staff from jurisdictions within each major river basin in King County, including the South Fork Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers, Cedar and Sammamish Rivers, Green/Duwamish River, and White River. The Joint Basin Technical Committee ensures that basin-scale issues and technical information are factored into the decision-making process. By bringing together technical experts from various jurisdictions, this committee helps to identify and address specific flood protection challenges unique to each river basin.

Collaborative Decision-Making

The Advisory Committee and Joint Basin Technical Committee are crucial components of the KCFCD’s efforts to protect lives and property from flooding. Through their combined expertise and collaborative approach, these committees help ensure that our flood protection strategies are effective, efficient, and equitable across the region.

Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing flood protection initiatives and how you can get involved. Together, we can build a safer, more resilient King County!