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King County Council Approves $20 Billion Budget with Historic Investments in Public Safety and Social Services
The King County Council has approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget for 2026-2027, emphasizing public safety, housing, and social services.
In a decisive move to bolster public safety and address pressing social needs, the King County Council has approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget for 2026-2027. This comprehensive spending plan reflects the county's commitment to enhancing essential services and supporting vulnerable communities.
**Public Safety and Criminal Justice**
A significant portion of the budget, approximately $175 million, is allocated to strengthen public safety initiatives. This funding aims to protect sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors, and support staff, maintain courthouse patrols, and sustain services that reduce gun violence. Additionally, $30 million is designated to expand juvenile probation officers, public defenders, and court interpreters, recruit sheriff’s deputies, preserve homeless shelter services, and grow behavioral health and victim support programs. Notably, the council has added $18 million for behavioral health services, including crisis response and restoring Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) cuts, and $2.3 million for sexual assault and domestic violence services, supporting organizations like Harborview’s Abuse and Trauma Center and the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.
**Housing, Homelessness Response, and Health**
Addressing housing and homelessness, the budget allocates $5 million to keep the SoDo shelter open through 2027, $3 million for 80 new shelter beds in Federal Way, and $3 million for families, youth, and young adults facing housing insecurity. The council has added $3.2 million for Kenmore and Reclaim shelters, three tiny home villages, and youth providers, as well as $3 million for rental assistance, with potential for an additional $3 million in 2026. To combat food insecurity, $4 million is designated to expand food access across the region, with an additional $9 million added by the council for food banks, including capital funding and support for programs in unincorporated King County. Furthermore, $31 million from hospital tax funds is allocated to protect healthcare against federal cuts, plus an $8 million contingency for behavioral health, with a potential $3 million for the Continuum of Care from 2025 underspend to be used in 2026.
**Transit and Infrastructure**
The budget includes more than 400,000 hours of bus service to restore suspended routes and meet demand. Investments are also made in Link light rail, Dial-a-Ride, Access paratransit, water taxi, and Metro Flex services. To enhance transit security, the budget extends Metro Transit Police staffing and supports the SaFE Reform initiative. The council has added continued funding for Juanita Metro Flex and the Seattle waterfront shuttle, plans to move to cashless fares, restroom pilots at Shoreline and Burien transit centers, and support for the Transit Safety Task Force.
**Accountability and Governance**
To strengthen financial management, the budget allocates $10 million to improve internal controls and contract oversight at the Department of Community and Human Services. The council has added $500,000 for internal audits, required risk assessments for grant-issuing departments, and regular briefings on wastewater capital projects. Additionally, $3 million is designated to develop a countywide Artificial Intelligence policy and innovation fund to protect privacy, prevent bias, and promote responsible use.
**Community Services and Workforce Development**
The budget includes $1.6 million for immigrant and refugee services, with $1 million for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) and $250,000 for Mujer al Volante driver training and license assistance. It also allocates $1.4 million for housing, including pre-development for the Youth Achievement Center and Bellevue Family YMCA, plus support for the Home and Hope program. Additionally, $350,000 is designated for LGBTQ+ community services, and $3.85 million for workforce development, including $800,000 for pre-apprenticeship programs in Federal Way and Auburn.
Councilmember De’Sean Quinn, representing District 5 in South King County, highlighted the budget's focus on addressing racial injustice and delivering targeted resources to historically marginalized communities. He emphasized that the budget serves as a roadmap for repair, bringing significant funding to programs aimed at stemming the ongoing impacts of historical oppression.
King County Executive Shannon Braddock expressed gratitude for the council's collaboration, stating, "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."
The approved budget underscores King County's commitment to fostering a safer, more equitable, and resilient community for all its residents.ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.
