King County Budget Priorities

Priorities for People

The Metropolitan King County Council provides fiscal integrity and accountability by setting spending priorities based on public expectations, funding programs consistent with those priorities, and measuring results. “Priorities for People” established three top priorities as standards for the annual County budget.

1. Earn Public Trust:

•  Implement sound County financial oversight measures and manage the public’s money prudently and wisely.
•  Increase citizen engagement in oversight of County services.
•  Closely monitor and report on County spending.
•  Further citizen involvement in setting budget priorities.
•  Improve customer service.
•  Guarantee the right to vote for all eligible King County residents, and ensure that voting systems are secure, reliable, and private.
•  Establish additional County local and regional government performance measurements and publicly report on them.
•  Increase accountability and transparency on capital projects.

2. Enhance Quality of Life:

•  Manage growth wisely.
•  Provide quality local government services.
•  Improve transportation options and provide greater mobility for people, vehicles and freight.
•  Reduce carbon emissions, maintain levees, enhance cleanup of Puget Sound waterways and take other measures for responsible environmental stewardship. 
•  Create and encourage vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities.

3. Protect Public Health and Safety:

•  Enhance the County’s capability and flexibility to meet needs for public health protection, promotion, and provision.
•  Promote conditions for optimal physical and mental health and reduction in chemical dependency and obesity.
•  Partner with organizations to ensure access to public health for the uninsured and the underinsured.
•  Pursue programs to keep young citizens away from the criminal justice system.
•  Continue to implement crime and gang activity reduction programs.
•  Reduce the cost of detention while increasing effective and safe alternatives to jail detention.
•  Prepare our citizens, neighborhoods and County government for natural disasters and public health emergencies.
•  Implement measures for further oversight of the Sheriff’s Office.