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King County Council Approves $20 Billion Budget with Historic Investments
The King County Council has approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget, marking significant investments in public safety, housing, and health services.
In a landmark decision, the King County Council unanimously approved a $20.16 billion biennial budget for 2026-2027, underscoring a strong commitment to public safety, housing stability, and health services. This budget, passed on November 18, 2025, reflects the county's dedication to addressing critical community needs amid federal funding uncertainties.
**Public Safety and Criminal Justice**
A cornerstone of the budget is the allocation of $175 million to safeguard sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors, and support staff. This funding aims to maintain courthouse security, reduce gun violence, and support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Additionally, $30 million is designated to expand juvenile probation officers, public defenders, and court interpreters, alongside efforts to recruit more sheriff’s deputies and preserve homeless shelter services. The Council further enhanced this allocation with an additional $18 million for behavioral health services, including crisis response and mobile crisis providers, and $1.8 million for sexual assault and domestic violence services.
**Housing, Homelessness Response, and Health**
Addressing housing instability, the budget includes $5 million to keep the SoDo shelter operational 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 augmented this with an additional $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 allocated to expand food access across the region, with the Council adding $9 million more for food banks, including capital funding and support for programs in unincorporated King County. Furthermore, $31 million from hospital tax funds is earmarked to protect healthcare services against federal cuts, plus an $8 million contingency for behavioral health, with the Council considering an additional $3 million for the Continuum of Care from 2025 underspend to be used in 2026.
**Transit and Infrastructure**
The budget proposes more than 400,000 hours of bus service to restore suspended routes and meet demand. Investments are also planned for Link light rail, Dial-a-Ride, Access paratransit, water taxi, and Metro Flex services. Enhanced transit security measures, including increased Metro Transit Police staffing and the SaFE Reform initiative, are part of the plan. The Council added continued support for Juanita Metro Flex and the Seattle waterfront shuttle, a move towards cashless fares, restroom pilots at Shoreline and Burien transit centers, and a bus route security report with consultant support for the Transit Safety Task Force.
**Accountability and Governance**
To strengthen financial management, the budget allocates $10 million for internal controls and contract oversight at the Department of Community and Human Services. The Council enhanced this with $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.
**Additional Investments**
The budget includes $1.6 million for immigrant and refugee services, $1.4 million for housing initiatives, $350,000 for LGBTQ+ community services, and $3.85 million for workforce development programs, including pre-apprenticeship programs in Federal Way and Auburn.
Councilmember Rod Dembowski, who chaired the budget committee, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, "The Council worked to protect essential public safety investments, strengthen our commitment to combating hunger, and increase accountability for how public money is spent."
King County Executive Shannon Braddock also praised the budget, highlighting its alignment with community values and its focus on essential services. She noted, "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 comprehensive budget signifies a proactive approach by King County to address pressing community needs, ensuring the continuation and enhancement of vital services for its residents.ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.
