Drafter

Clerk 06/03/2025

Title

A MOTION expressing no confidence in the ability of John Arthur Wilson to continue to carry out the duties of King County assessor and calling for John Arthur Wilson's immediate resignation.

Body

                     WHEREAS, the office of King County assessor is to accurately and systematically determine the value of each property in King County so that the public can trust the property taxes collected from property owners in King County shall be equitable across classes of property, and

                     WHEREAS, John Arthur Wilson was elected to the office of King County assessor on November 3, 2015, and was last reelected to the office of King County assessor on November 7, 2023, and

                     WHEREAS, it has recently come to the attention of the council through news media outlet reports that for over a year Mr. Wilson has been embroiled in a domestic dispute, during the course of which Mr. Wilson is accused of stalking and harassing a King County resident, and

                     WHEREAS, On May 9, 2024, the King County superior court issued a temporary protection order preventing Mr. Wilson from contacting that same King County resident due to disturbing allegations of repeated stalking and harassment, and

                     WHEREAS, On May 13, 2025, the King County superior court issued an immediate restraining order preventing Mr. Wilson from contacting the same King County resident based on renewed allegations of a continued pattern of stalking and harassment, and

                     WHEREAS, it is also alleged that Mr. Wilson improperly used county resources to engage in the stalking, and

                     WHEREAS, court records and public reporting reflect a continuing pattern of inappropriate behavior and a failure by Mr. Wilson acknowledge any wrongdoing, leaving open a real concern that this type of behavior will persist, and

                     WHEREAS, it is crucial that elected officials in King County conduct their professional and personal affairs in ways that maintain the public's trust and faith in the officials' integrity and abilities, and

                     WHEREAS, employees in the King County assessor's office deserve a leader who possesses sound judgment and the highest integrity to the guide the important work in the King County assessor's office, and

                     WHEREAS, the behavior and actions alleged in the court filings on which the court orders were based are repugnant and inconsistent with the level of personal decorum and professionalism expected of an elected official, and

                     WHEREAS, the council finds that allegations on which the court orders against Mr. Wilson are based are extremely serious and have caused irrevocable harm to the public's trust and faith in John Arthur Wilson's ability to perform the duties of King County assessor, and

                     WHEREAS the council has lost confidence in Mr. Wilson's judgement, aptitude, and ability to perform the duties of King County assessor;

                     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:

                     The members of the King County council have lost confidence in John Arthur Wilson to carry out the duties of King County assessor and thereby call for John Arthur Wilson's immediate resignation.