King County Council approves 2015-16 budget; funding for Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Unit

Published 4:51 pm Monday, November 17, 2014

The Metropolitan King County Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve the county’s first biennial (two-year) budget, a $9 billion plan that revives the King County Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Unit and preserves the county’s AAA bond rating by not using cash reserves or tapping the rainy day fund.

“Financial pressures from the Great Recession, ever-expanding population growth, and a failing tax structure unable to keep up with citizen demands continue to challenge King County’s ability to deliver even basic services,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips in a county media release. “Given these binding constraints, the Council can be proud it reached in a timely manner an agreement on a balanced budget maintaining services at critical levels for public health and safety.”

The adopted budget is the county’s first biennial budget for all county agencies, including those contained within the general fund. The adopted general fund budget was set at 1.5 billion, three-quarters of which is targeted for law, justice and public safety services.

At the start of the budget process, several public health centers were slated for closure. Residents of the communities that depend on the clinics testified at the special meetings held by the Council about the importance of the centers. Partnerships and collaboration between the county, local jurisdictions and other community agencies helped locate the funding needed to keep the clinic doors open temporarily in Federal Way, White Center, and Auburn.

Potential reductions in transit service were also a concern going into the budget process, with the Council committed to reviewing both the levels of bus service and transit reserves during the development of the budget. The budget funds full maintenance of existing bus service, while keeping adequate reserves in transit. In addition, the budget increases funding for transit’s alternative services delivery program, which provides transit service other than just a full-size (large) bus on a fixed route.

Public safety within the unincorporated communities where King County is the “local” government will also benefit from the adopted budget. To help in the investigation of those accused of domestic violence, the budget includes the restoration of the domestic violence unit—two detectives and a community service officer—within the Sheriff’s Office.

“This is a budget that protects public safety, keeps our health clinics open and restores funding for the Sheriff’s domestic violence unit,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “As with most budgets, there have been many hard choices along the way, but I’m thankful we have been able to work together to maintain the services our residents rely on the most.”

With the unanimous vote, the budget will be sent to County Executive Dow Constantine for his signature.