title
AN ORDINANCE relating to use of the rainy day reserve fund in the 2021-2022 biennium budget cycle; determining an emergency exists under K.C.C. 4A.200.570; and declaring an emergency.
body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. On February 29, 2020, the Governor of Washington state declared a state of emergency in all counties in Washington and directed that the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented as a result of coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19").
B. COVID-l9 is a respiratory disease that can result in serious illness or death and can easily spread from person to person; and is classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic that spreads easily from person to person and may result in serious illness or death.
C. On March 1, 2020, King County executive Dow Constantine signed a proclamation of emergency enabling "extraordinary measures" to respond to the COVID-l9 outbreak. On March 3, 2020, the council passed Motion 15610 affirming the executive's proclamation of emergency.
D. As a result of the continued worldwide spread of COVID-19, its significant progression in Washington state, and the high risk it poses to our most vulnerable populations, on March 23, 2020, the Governor issued a "Stay Home - Stay Healthy" order prohibiting, with limited exceptions, all people in Washington state from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and required all nonessential businesses in Washington state to cease operations except for performing basic minimal operations. In describing COVID-19's impact on public health and the economy, the order noted the pandemic's progression in Washington state that continues to threaten the economy and remains a public disaster affecting life, health, property or the public peace. The order was extended twice, with the...

Click here for full text