Join the King County Board of Health! 

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The King County Board of Health expanded in 2023 to include more members of the community it serves.   

Applications to join the Board are welcome from King County residents who share a commitment to public health principles and addressing racism as a public health crisis. The Board is currently considering applications for membership for two vacant positions to join the Board in 2024.  The vacancies are for one community stakeholder position and one community stakeholder alternate position.  Community stakeholder positions represent the following types of organizations located in King County: community-based organizations or nonprofits working with populations experiencing health inequities in the county, active, reserve, or retired armed services members, the business community, or the environmental public health regulated community. 

Applications must be received by August 6th, 2023. This fall the Board will send their recommendations to fill these vacancies to the King County Council, who will appoint members before the end of the year. New members will begin their terms January 1, 2024.

About the Board 

Currently the Board includes 8 elected officials and 8 non-elected people who represent the public, healthcare, and other community stakeholders, as well as 8 non-voting alternates.  

The Board of Health has several responsibilities. Its mission is to advocate for the preservation, promotion, and protection of public health. It works to prevent the spread of disease, set local public health regulations and some fees and licenses, and enforce state and local public health laws. The Board does not have budget authority. 

Past Board activities have included passing a regulation banning trans fats in restaurants, regulating e-cigarettes, and establishing a medicine take-back program.  

The Board issues guidelines and recommendations. For example, the Board issued guidelines for a model tobacco-free parks policy to promote a tobacco-free experience for visitors to all King County parks.  

The Board also creates resolutions to express support for policies or strategies. For example, The Board passed a resolution encouraging the Washington State Legislature to address climate change and its health impacts, with a focus on communities disproportionately impacted by health inequities. 

The Board takes a racial equity approach to its work and expects its members to be committed to racial equity and ending the impacts of racism on health. 

Board member expectations 

  • Attending and participating in monthly meetings held on the third Thursday of each month at 1pm
  • Nonelected members shall have the ability to vote except on legislation pertaining to fees
  • Participation in subcommittees as needed

Compensation 

Board members who are not being compensated for their participation through their employer will be paid $225 for each full board meeting they attend, not to exceed $225 per month.  

Visit the website to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Health and the application process. 

For more information:

Originally published 7/6/2023