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The first Veterans and Human Services Levy was passed by the voters of King County in November 2005 to generate much needed funding to help veterans, military personnel and their families, and other individuals and families in need across the county through a variety of housing and supportive services. This levy allocated approximately $13.3 million per year for six years to implement housing and human services for these two broad groups. One half of the revenues were targeted for veterans and their families, and the remaining half was dedicated to other King County residents in need. This levy remained in effect until December 2011.
In August 2011, the voters of King County voted overwhelmingly to renew the Veterans and Human Services Levy for another six years. The new levy preserves the 50:50 split of proceeds between veterans, military personnel and their families and other individuals and families in need. The new levy also preserves the two citizen oversight boards.
The 2006-2011 Service Improvement Plan guided levy investments through 2011. A new Service Improvement Plan was developed and approved by the King County Executive and the Metropolitan KIng County Council to guide levy investments from 2012 through 2017.
Citizen Boards
Both citizen boards originally created in February 2007 continue with the new Levy. The boards are responsible for reviewing the expenditure of levy proceeds, and for reporting annually to the King County Executive and the Metropolitan King County Council. For more information on these boards and their members, click on the links below.
Service Improvement Plan
The levy implementation ordinance required a Service Improvement Plan to detail how the county will proceed to provide enhanced services and supports for veterans, military personnel and their families, and others in need.
Procurement Plans and Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
Stakeholder input is an important part of the process of implementing the Veterans and Human Services Levy. Procurement plans for activities described in the Service Improvement Plan are posted for review and comment online before being finalized for implementation. In many cases, an RFP follows.
Background - Original Levy
King County voters said yes to a ballot measure in November 2005 by a margin of nearly 58 percent support. Half of the revenue raised would fund services for veterans, military personnel and their families, including services specific to veterans' needs such as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The other half funded regional health and human services, including housing, homelessness prevention, mental health and substance abuse services and employment assistance.
A Veterans and Human Services Implementation ordinance received approval by the King County Council on April 10, 2006. The legislation approved by the council required a service improvement plan outlining the use of the levy proceeds, clarified the roles and process for appointing the members of the citizens oversight boards, and required the County to re-examine priorities, policies, and contracts for human services currently funded with County discretionary funds.
Goals
The levy ordinance identified three goal areas for service enhancement and funding allocations. Levy dollars will seek to:
- Reduce homelessness and emergency medical costs
- Reduce criminal justice system involvement
- Increase self-sufficiency by means of employment .
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