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King County Council Approves $20 Billion Budget with Focus on Public Safety and Housing
The King County Council has approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget emphasizing public safety, housing, and government accountability.
In a decisive move to bolster essential services, the King County Council unanimously approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget on November 18, 2025. This comprehensive spending plan aims to enhance public safety, address housing needs, and strengthen government accountability across the county.
**Public Safety and Criminal Justice**
A significant portion of the budget is allocated to public safety initiatives:
- **Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office**: $175 million is designated to support sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors, and support staff, ensuring the continuation of courthouse patrols and services that reduce gun violence.
- **Juvenile Justice and Behavioral Health**: An additional $30 million will expand juvenile probation officers, public defenders, and court interpreters. This funding also aims to recruit more sheriff’s deputies and enhance behavioral health and victim support programs.
- **Behavioral Health Services**: The council added $18 million to bolster crisis response services, restore cuts to the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) program, and stabilize mobile crisis providers.
- **Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services**: $1.8 million is allocated to support organizations like Harborview’s Abuse and Trauma Center and the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
**Housing, Homelessness Response, and Health**
Addressing housing and health concerns, the budget includes:
- **Shelter Services**: $5 million to keep the SoDo shelter operational through 2027, along with $3 million for 80 new shelter beds in Federal Way.
- **Youth and Family Support**: $3 million is allocated for families, youth, and young adults facing housing insecurity.
- **Food Security**: The council added $9 million for food banks, including capital funding and support for programs in unincorporated King County.
- **Healthcare Services**: $31 million from hospital tax funds is designated to protect healthcare services against federal cuts, with an additional $8 million contingency for behavioral health.
**Transit and Infrastructure**
Investments in transportation and infrastructure are also prioritized:
- **Public Transit**: Over 400,000 hours of bus service are restored to meet demand, alongside investments in Link light rail, Dial-a-Ride, Access paratransit, water taxi, and Metro Flex services.
- **Transit Security**: Enhanced transit security measures, including increased Metro Transit Police staffing and the SaFE Reform initiative, are funded.
**Government Accountability and Efficiency**
To ensure effective governance, the budget includes:
- **Financial Management**: $10 million to strengthen financial management, internal controls, and contract oversight at the Department of Community and Human Services.
- **Technology and Innovation**: $3 million to develop a countywide Artificial Intelligence policy and innovation fund to protect privacy, prevent bias, and promote responsible use.
- **Efficiency Measures**: Initiatives to modernize technology, bring services in-house, and reduce costs are incorporated.
**Additional Investments**
The council also approved funding for various community services:
- **Immigrant and Refugee Services**: $1.6 million, including $1 million for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) and $250,000 for Mujer al Volante driver training and license assistance.
- **LGBTQ+ Community Services**: $350,000 allocated for services supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
- **Workforce Development**: $3.85 million, including $800,000 for pre-apprenticeship programs in Federal Way and Auburn.
Councilmember Rod Dembowski, who chaired the budget committee, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort:
> “With passage of the County’s 2026-2027 biennial budget, I’m thankful for the meaningful progress we’ve delivered for the people of King County.”
King County Executive Shannon Braddock also praised the budget's alignment with community values:
> “This budget reflects our shared values, avoids cuts to public safety, and bolsters funding for key priorities like housing and homelessness, transit, public health, and food security.”
This budget approval marks a significant step toward addressing the pressing needs of King County residents, focusing on safety, housing, and essential services.ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.