WEEK AHEAD: Sound Transit Board, with new member from West Seattle, meets early

Another of our quick-look previews of the week ahead: The Sound Transit Board usually meets on fourth Thursdays, but this month, that’s Christmas Day, so it’s meeting on the third Thursday instead – December 18, 1:30 to 4 pm. The board members will include a new representative from West Seattle – King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, a North Delridge resident, just appointed by new King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, who is also a board member. It will be the last meeting for outgoing Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell; his successor, Katie Wilson, will be on the board starting next month. Here’s the agenda for Thursday’s meeting. It includes a report on the proposed downtown tunnel, which some have suggested could be dropped as a way to cut costs. Also, board members are expected to give a performance rating of “outstanding” to first-year CEO Dow Constantine while deferring a potential raise and bonus “at (his) request,” according to this document. The meeting at Union Station downtown (401 S. Jackson) includes a public-comment period; find out here how to watch/comment in person or online

Vanessa December 14, 2025 (11:34 pm)

$1,278 every single day of the year. This is what Dow C. earns. $450,000 A YEAR. For his outstanding work. ? And he wants a raise.

k December 15, 2025 (7:47 am)

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No, he asked them to defer his raise and bonus, which are part of his contract.
Rusty December 15, 2025 (7:58 am)

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The article says he will be deferring a raise and bonus at his request…
- Tax Payer December 15, 2025 (8:54 am)
  
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  You do realize that “defer” means to put off till a later date WITH interest. he’s just asking the tax payers to hold his money is a savings account. Also Sound Transit seems to have so much money they are looking to “Hire a Chief Civil Rights and Economic Development Officer”.
  - K December 15, 2025 (9:39 am)
    
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    There is zero chance Sound Transit will be paying him more interest than he would gain by taking that money and investing it privately. That’s IF that interest is paid (which is not required contractually, and is not explicitly stated).
    - Tax Payer December 15, 2025 (7:41 pm)
      
      My point is, and the one you missed, is he is getting the money, him “deferring” it is a show and yes there will be interest. As a CPA with much experience in this, I’m not just typing this for no reason. Also Sound Transit seems to have so much money they are looking to “Hire a Chief Civil Rights and Economic Development Officer”.

WS Person December 15, 2025 (7:09 am)

I work for the state. No increase or bonuses this year due to costs. Yet someone who runs sound transit, which takes no cost into account, if they need money they just raise our property taxes, and barely delivers – he asks for a raise and bonus. F him.

K December 15, 2025 (9:40 am)

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He didn’t ask for anything except a deferment. The raise and bonus are contractual obligations. “F reading comprehension” seems more apt.

Question Authority December 15, 2025 (9:22 am)

With this savings thanks to Dow’s generosity the WS link track can be funded one thousands of an inch or less.

brandon December 15, 2025 (12:29 pm)

That the Board rates Dow as “Outstanding” in his first year tells you all you need to know about the bar at Sound Transit. Outstanding??? Where to go from there? Very Outstanding? Very, Very Outstanding?? What a joke. And bringing on another similar voice as your choice further muddles the objectiveness of the Board makeup. Who’s going to resist, ask tough questions and hold themselves accountable to the Public Dollars.

Neighbor December 15, 2025 (2:47 pm)

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Why would his rating have to increase every year?

Scarlett December 15, 2025 (1:37 pm)

Lots to say, but what’s the point at this juncture? This made-or- film -script almost writes itself.

Neighbor December 15, 2025 (2:58 pm)

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Well the point is to provide transparency. I really don’t understand the hate for Dow and Sound Transit in the comments here. They’re not substantive, what’s the reason?
- WS Person December 15, 2025 (4:54 pm)
  
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  Do a quick Google of sound transit failures. $30B shortfall. Solution to everything is raise property tax. Failure to deliver on light rail. Delay after delay. The list goes on…