Budget briefs

You will find good, factual information here to set the record straight about the 2009 budget process that will help the Executive write his final 2009 budget proposal in October. We'll make periodic updates here about how we are dealing with the projected $93.4 million budget deficit.

Oct. 13, 2008

• Sims delivers budget speech
• 2009 Budget Reductions and Lifeline Briefs
• Executive's proposed 2009 budget (complete)

Oct. 9, 2008

Executive Sims cuts staff and reorganizes for better performance

Oct. 7, 2008

Executive Ron Sims sent a message to all King County employees in advance of the budget speech on October 13. Read the entire letter.

Aug. 8, 2008

The Budget Director today responded to statements made by the Sheriff in a memo to her employees.

Aug. 5, 2008

The worsening economy has had a very negative impact on King County's budget. In light of new information from the federal and state governments, the Budget Office now forecasts a $86.5 million deficit, up from the $68 million projected earlier this year. Read the Budget Office's 2nd Quarter report to the County Council (pdf).

July 10, 2008

All departments have been given budget cut reductions

Some news stories about target budget reductions in the Sheriff's Office erroneously state that other county departments have not been asked to make cuts. In fact, non-criminal justice departments have been asked to take on a bigger share of the projected $68 million deficit in 2009 and their targets equal or exceed the Sheriff's targets. For example, Public Health and Community and Human Services have been asked to cut 33 percent of their general fund budgets. Criminal justice takes up 71 percent of the general fund but was asked to make reductions that will cover only 56 percent of the deficit. The other agencies that make up only 30 percent of the general fund have been asked to cover 46 percent of the deficit.

June 27, 2008

How much has the King County workforce grown in the last few years?
The workforce has been at or slightly more than 13,000 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) since the year 2000. Most years saw a combination of FTE reductions in some departments and additions in others, depending on work programs. For example, in 2002 and in 2005 a majority of departments took a cut in FTEs. However, in 2005 Public Health, Transportation and Community services increased FTEs. In 2008 the county budgeted for 13,998 FTEs, an increase of 638 FTEs from 2007 authorized levels. A majority of the increase is an additional 343 FTEs to expand transit service after voter approval of the Transit Now sales tax, 95 new FTEs in Public Health; 38 new FTEs in Adult and Juvenile Detention; 38 new FTEs in the Sheriff's Office and 33 FTEs for the new Flood Control District. Two departments had cuts in FTEs in 2008: the Department of Development & Environmental Services (DDES) and Internal Support and Grants. The workforce at DDES decreased seven of the last eight years and is now at 231 FTEs compared to 374 FTEs in 2000.