Join the Board of Health

Equity and social justice, Other, policy

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 one vacant position to join the Board in 2025.  The vacancy is for a consumer of public health alternate position.  The consumer of public health alternate position represents King County residents who self-identify as having faced significant health inequities and having lived experiences with public health-related programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), home visiting, or treatment services.

Applications must be received by August 6th, 2024. 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, 2025.

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 7/8/2024