City of Burien Files Lawsuit for Breach of Interlocal Agreement

City of Burien News Release - March 28, 2024:The City of Burien has filed a lawsuit against King County and the King County Sheriff's Office for refusing to enforce any portion of Burien Municipal Code 9.85.150 and refusing to comply with the Interlocal Agreement's dispute resolution process that every contract city agrees to with King County.In breaching the Interlocal Agreement, King County has placed its judgment over that of Burien's duly elected officials; denied the City of Burien its authority to assist and protect Burien residents, businesses, and property; prevented Burien's City Manager from providing direction to the contract police as stated in the Interlocal Agreement; and interfered with Burien's effort to provide guidance for the unhoused within the city’s boundaries.The lawsuit is filed in the Superior Court of Washington for Snohomish County (case # 24-2-02338-31).[caption id="attachment_15551" align="aligncenter" width="424"]

Burien lawsuit against KCSO March 27, 2024. Page 1[/caption]More information

• City of Burien Complaint (PDF)
• Burien Counters Misinformation in Press Conference from King County Sheriff
• Burien Responds to Complaint Filed by King County Sheriff’s Office
• City Responds to King County Sheriff’s Office Directive to Not Enforce Public Camping Ordinance
• Ordinance No. 832 Frequently Asked Questions
• Interlocal Agreement Between King County and the City of Burien Relating to Law Enforcement Services

KCSO lawsuit filed March 11, 2024 against City of Burien:

• US District Court filing
• Exhibit for Court Filing

We reached out to Mayor Kevin Schilling for an additional comment today. Here is his response:

I'm proud that the City of Burien is raising concerns with the County and Sheriff in court over their actions related to our ILA.

Burien pays the County Sheriff's Department $16 million a year with the expectation that they enforce laws established by the City.

In the time that the County Executive and Sheriff have not enforced our tent regulation, we have had multiple overdoses on the street, one that has led to a death.

The County's focus needs to be getting people off the streets and into shelter and services, wherever that may be. The decision by the County and Sheriff is just wasting taxpayer's and voter's time and money, and not helping folks on the street.

We reached out to Sheriff Cole-Tindall for comment on the lawsuit today, but we have not yet received a response from her.

Here is Cole-Tindall's non-response when we asked her on March 27, 2024 why the KCSO was willing to enforce SeaTac's camping ordinance, but not Burien's: [1:00 minute]

[videopress w28Xgr2i] She gave Burien-News additional comments, away from the cameras, after the March 27 press conference.

(images and video by Burien-News)