King County Budget Blog
This blog is an informal update from the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee of the Metropolitan King County Council. It reflects the proceedings of the budget committee and 2010 budget panels, as overseen by the leadership team of Councilmembers Larry Gossett (chair), Jane Hague, Kathy Lambert and Julia Patterson.
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November 19, 2009
Onto the Council! After 8 weeks of review, evaluation, examination and public testimony, the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee has unanimously adopted, and sent to the full Council, a 2010 County Budget that cuts costs and makes targeted efficiencies in order to preserve nearly all current funding for public safety and criminal justice and avert threatened cuts to Metro bus service.
On November 23—the Monday before Thanksgiving—the County Council will vote on this proposal.
The overall budget contains no net new taxes and, at $5.001 billion, is $12 million lower than the $5.013 billion proposed by the County Executive. You can read our proposed budget here.
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| “It’s no coincidence that the three women on the budget leadership team have stood together and made a powerful case for funding domestic violence and sexual assault prevention,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. | November 18, 2009
Standing together in support of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
The stories began at our first public hearing on the 2010 budget. And they continued throughout our budget deliberations—stories of survival. Women and their families who survived the pain of domestic violence and sexual assault and how they found help and hope through agencies supported by the King County Budget. We quickly realized that these are programs that literally save lives— and we could not let them end.
We have worked to reprioritize funds in our 2010 budget proposal to fully restore programs that prevent violence against women and families with children at 2009 levels in the budget proposal we will present tomorrow. Read the full details of the proposal. |
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November 6, 2009
Full Council to hear testimony Monday on 2010 Budget
As we approach the final days of our 2010 budget deliberations, we want to make sure you have a final opportunity to let us know of your budget priorities.
The full County Council will hold a special meeting Monday, November 9, to take public testimony on the 2010 budget. The public hearing will begin following a special meeting of the King County Ferry District at 11:00 a.m. If you can’t make it to the Courthouse, you can submit your testimony online and watch the proceedings LIVE on King County TV, Cable Channel 22 and
The public hearing will come two weeks before we are scheduled to adopt the budget. We have spent the last two weeks evaluating the recommendations presented to us by our three subject panels: Physical Environment, General Government & Criminal Justice, and Health & Human Services. We have also been reviewing the testimony we received from the more than 800 people who came to our four evening meetings in Bellevue, Kent, Redmond and here at the Courthouse as well as the over 200 cost saving ideas submitted by county employees.
We will take all of this information into our final reconciliation process where we match our expenses with our available revenues in order to balance the budget. We must also reconcile issues on which the three panels could not achieve consensus. We expect to present our “Budget Striker,” the Council’s version of the 2010 budget, by Friday, Nov. 20.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 30, 2009
Last evening budget hearing draws overflow crowd to County Courthouse
 An audience of more than 350 people packed the County Council chamber and two additional rooms Oct. 29 to voice their support for the human service programs that sustain after school programs, senior service agencies, domestic violence prevention and mental health assistance.
 King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg along with Sheriff Sue Rahr, Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer and District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde spoke of both programs to reduce crime, like the Prosecutor’s Car Theft Initiative as well as the County’s nationally-recognized Drug and Mental Health Courts.
The meeting inside Council chambers was the last of the four special evening hearings hosted by the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. More than 800 people attended these meetings to express their budget priorities. We want to thank everyone who came to speak to us in Bellevue, Kent, Redmond and here at the Courthouse.
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October 29, 2009
Testimony begins at Budget hearing inside County Council chambers King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, Sheriff Sue Rahr, Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer and District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde are among the more than 160 people that have signed up to testify at tonight's budget hearing.
People arriving for tonight’s 2010 Budget hearing
 Tonight’s budget hearing will begin shortly, and it is already a standing-room only audience in the County Council Chambers. Above is a photo the members of the public waiting to go into chambers. To the right is Budget Chair Larry Gossett talking to a person who has signed up to testify later tonight.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 28, 2009
Budget panels finish; Courthouse to host special evening Budget Committee meeting
We are into our fifth week of deliberations on the 2010 Budget and the Budget Committee’s three subject panels (Physical Environment, General Government & Criminal Justice, and Health & Human Services) have completed their review of the Executive Proposed 2010 Budget. The review was an opportunity for us to see where we agreed with the Executive and where the Committee needed to spend more time to examine specific issues, such as human services, animal care and control, and transit.
We will continue to review these issues as well as those expressed by the public at the previous special evening meetings of the Budget Committee:
--In Bellevue, we heard from clients of the Northshore Senior Center about how the center has become a lifeline for seniors in North King County.
--Representatives from Food Lifeline spoke at the Kent meeting about how $1 provided by the county can be leveraged by the agency to help provide 5 meals. The loss of county funding could mean a reduction of up to 660,000 meals in 2010.
--A counselor at Youth Eastside Services told the audience at our Redmond meeting of the crucial intervention she was able to provide to her first client, a suicidal eighth grade girl.
--And representatives of the sheriff, prosecuting attorney and public defender's office joined clients of domestic violence agencies in speaking out for programs that they say literally saves lives.
Tomorrow, October 29, we will host the last of our four special evening meetings to hear from you about your budget priorities for 2010. We look forward to you joining us in the Council chambers on the 10th Floor of the King County Courthouse starting at 7:00 p.m.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 23, 2009
Standing room audience in Redmond urges Council to support human service programs in 2010 budget
 Matthew Wilson (above, striped shirt) spoke about the opportunity that King County Drug Court gave him to get his life back on track. Jackie Bui of Youth Eastside Services (right) told of the crucial intervention she was able to provide to her first client, a suicidal eighth grade girl. Both speakers were among the four hours of testimony given by the standing room only crowd of nearly 250 that packed the Council chambers of Redmond City Hall on Oct. 22 for the third of our public hearings on the 2010 County budget. The last of our special evening hearings on the budget will be in the Council chambers at the King County Courthouse Thursday, Oct. 29.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 13, 2009 Testimony completed at Kent Budget Hearing
 Over 100 speakers urged the County Council to consider restoring funding in the 2010 Budget for programs ranging from the Kent Law Library to human service agencies to the King County Sheriff Deputies that patrol their unincorporated communities. The speakers were part of the more than 200 people who packed tonight’s Budget hearing at the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
You will be able to view this meeting tomorrow night both online and on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.
Human service funding dominates budget testimony at Kent hearing
Representatives of agencies that aid victims of domestic violence, keep young people out of the criminal justice system and provide assistance to those who have just arrived in this country are calling on the county to continue supporting human service funding.
Kent Budget Hearing underway
 A standing-room only audience of more than 200 people is packing the Maleng Justice Center tonight to speak to the Budget Committee about their priorities for the 2010 Budget.
The opening speakers have included celebrity chef Tom Douglas speaking in support of the County’s funding for Food Lifeline.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 12, 2009
Maleng Regional Justice Center location of second evening hearing on budget
Two-thirds of the County’s General Fund Budget is directed toward criminal justice and public safety agencies, so it is fitting that the second of our four public hearings on the Executive proposed 2010 budget will be Tuesday night at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Close to 100 people came to the first meeting held in Bellevue last week to tell us their budget priorities as we continue to review the spending proposal presented to us two weeks ago. We invite you to come to tomorrow’s meeting, and if you can’t make it, be sure to watch the meeting Wednesday online or on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22.
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Gloria Campbell speaks in support
of the Northshore Senior Center |
October 8, 2009 First public hearing at Bellevue City Hall
The public part of our annual budget process began last night when around 100 people came to Bellevue City Hall for our first public on the 2010 budget. We heard moving stories from those whose funding is reduced or cut in the Executive Proposed Budget and who urged restoration of funding for many human services. More than half the audience came to the podium to speak, including Gloria Campbell with the Northshore Senior Center, who was joined by clients and staff. We also heard from Sheriff Sue Rahr and Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer on the important needs of maintaining public safety and our criminal justice system. Three more public hearings are set for later this month, and we look forward to seeing you there.
October 7, 2009
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Budget Chair Larry Gossett spoke with KING TV about the importance of our public meetings. | Public hearings begin tonight
Public input has always been a vital part of our budget process, and this year is no exception. The Bellevue City Council chambers will host the first of four special evening public hearings on the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget. We will also hold meetings in Kent, Redmond and at the County Courthouse.
Next day coverage of all of the meetings will be available both online and on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22. And if you can’t make it to a meeting, you can always e-mail us your budget priorities. Public input has always been a vital part of our budget process, and this year is no exception. The Bellevue City Council chambers will host the first of four special evening public hearings on the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget. We will also hold meetings in Kent, Redmond and at the County Courthouse. Next day coverage of all of the meetings will be available both online and on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22. And if you can’t make it to a meeting, you can always us your budget priorities. Public input has always been a vital part of our budget process, and this year is no exception. The Bellevue City Council chambers will host the first of four special evening public hearings on the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget. We will also hold meetings in Kent, Redmond and at the County Courthouse. Next day coverage of all of the meetings will be available both online and on King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22. And if you can’t make it to a meeting, you can always us your budget priorities.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________ October 2, 2009 Panels begin their examination of budget
We will continue our in-depth review of the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget by splitting the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee into three subject panels. Each panel will be responsible for analyzing the sections of the budget assigned to them and giving its recommendations to the full Budget Committee:
Our Public Safety and General Government Panel will be chaired by Councilmember Kathy Lambert. Its first hearing will be Tuesday, October 6.
The Physical Environment Panel will be responsible for analyzing the budget plans for transportation, parks and environmental services. Councilmember Jane Hague will lead this committee, which will start on Wednesday, October 7.
The Health and Human Services Panel will be chaired by Councilmember Julia Patterson, who will convene its first meeting on Thursday, October 8.
Remember, you can watch all Council Budget proceedings held in chambers LIVE on King County TV. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
September 30, 2009
(left to right) Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde , Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer, and Sheriff Sue Rahr |
(from left) Assessor Lynn Gering and Elections Director Sherril Huff |
Sheriff, Prosecutor, Judges and organized labor share their thoughts on impact of Executive's proposed budget
We started our review of the 2010 Executive Proposed Budget today by hearing from the separately-elected officials who manage the County's criminal justice system, assessments and elections, and representatives of the unions representing most King County employees.
Sheriff Sue Rahr, Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, Superior Court Presiding Judge Bruce Hilyer, District Court Presiding Judge Barbara Linde, Assessor Lynn Gering and Elections Director Sherril Huff gave us their frank assessments of the challenges their departments will face in 2010 because of the county’s fiscal crisis. Behnaz Nelson and Dustin Frederick from the King County Labor Coalition talked to us about the potential consequences of the proposed budget on the unions representing King County employees. This was just the start. We appreciate hearing from the separately elected officials and union representatives and more deliberations lie ahead.
September 28, 2009 Council budget leadership commits to cutting costs while protecting vital services in 2010 County Budget Presented with the kind of recession-era budget proposal faced by governments across the nation, budget leaders on the Metropolitan King County Council today committed to cutting costs and making the tough choices needed to close a $56 million shortfall in the 2010 King County Budget. “Today we face new financial realities, and our job is clear. We must cut costs while protecting those services the public deems most vital,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, Chair of the Council’s 2010 Budget Leadership Team. “Nearly every program and agency throughout King County is facing a financial crisis. We thank County Executive Kurt Triplett for his honest and transparent proposal that addresses much of what we have discussed over the last five months.” The Executive’s proposed $4.8 billion budget includes a $621 million General Fund, more than three-fourths of which is targeted for law, justice and public safety services. The budget leaders set the tone for the budget process by calling for a 10 percent reduction in the budget of the Council itself. Half of the potential $1.5 million savings will come from the elimination of five management or policy staff. “I had to tell two members of the Council staff—two members with young families—that the Council was committed to flattening the Council organization, reducing mid-level management and achieving significant cost savings,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, Vice Chair of the Budget Leadership Team. “These are painful times, but we are prepared to make the hard choices in the least painful way we can.” Hague said the leadership team is also listening to County employees who may have ideas on how to deliver public services more efficiently, by setting up a special e-mail account at savings@kingcounty.gov. “Nobody knows better how we can cut costs and save money than the frontline staff with first-hand knowledge of how things get done. I can assure you that all nine members of the Council will be listening to their ideas and suggestions,” said Hague. Councilmember Kathy Lambert said her goal will be to ensure that funds for criminal justice and public safety continue to support those programs that have proven to be successful in breaking the cycle of crime. “This is a basic budget that keeps people safe, while funding treatment and prevention programs such as our nationally recognized Drug Court and Mental Health Court,” said Lambert, who will chair the budget team’s Criminal Justice and General Government Panel. “Our longstanding policies to support alternatives to incarceration have led to a projected 300 fewer inmates in our jail next year, saving significant funds and making a real difference in people’s lives.” Even with this difficult budget, the Council recognizes the County’s commitment to human service programs and will work to protect the most vulnerable in our region, according to Councilmember Julia Patterson, who will chair the budget team’s Health and Human Services Panel. All $11.4 million in General Fund monies for human services are eliminated in the Executive’s proposed budget, but other revenues, including the sales tax for mental illness and drug dependency treatment, will sustain $7.7 million worth of housing, treatment and crisis intervention programs. “We have a moral imperative to support these programs,” said Patterson. “We have not yet seen a full list of what specific programs are funded and which are cut, but we must maintain funding for those human services that keep our jail populations down and people out of emergency rooms.” Gossett said the leadership team called on the Executive to propose a 2010 budget that did not include across-the-board cuts but targeted reductions, and which prioritized criminal justice agencies. “We still have questions about how Executive Triplett proposes to achieve some of the proposed cuts, but we have the next eight weeks to get the answers we need.”
September 25, 2009 Council to receive Executive's proposed 2010 Budget County Executive Kurt Triplett will deliver his 2010 budget address to the body that has final authority over the King County Budget at the Council’s Sept 28 meeting starting at 1:30 p.m. You can watch both the Executive’s budget address, and the response of our Budget Leadership Team, LIVE online or by tuning into King County TV, seen on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable Channel 22. Your first chance to present testimony on the proposed budget will be Wednesday, October 7.
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