King County officials will host a meeting on Vashon next week, where island residents will be able to hear from county representatives and ask questions about a wide range of issues.

The line up for the June 7 meeting includes Councilmember Joe McDermott, Budget Director Dwight Dively, Department of Permitting and Environmental Review Assistant Director Jim Chan, Assessor John Wilson, Chief Jerrell Wills of the King County Sheriff’s Office, and King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi. Representatives from other King County departments, including Public Health and Community and Human Services, are also expected to attend.

Alan Painter, who manages the Community Service Area Program, said the meeting will include presentations and time for audience questions. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to learn about King County’s proposed Department of Local Services, which is intended to better support residents of unincorporated King County. That department is expected to be established by January of next year.

County Executive Dow Constantine proposed the creation of the new department early this year after an evaluation of how King County could improve a range of services to unincorporated areas, including those related to roads, public safety, clean water and economic opportunity.

At the time, Painter said relevant issues for the department will be broad and relevant to the island as a whole. By way of example, he said the controversy over the rumble strips several years ago would have been a good one for the department, as would concerns about the development of K2.

The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at McMurray Middle School.

— Susan Riemer