King County Faces Budget Questions

The county's General Fund has faced significant financial pressure, with officials previously projecting a $150 million deficit for the 2026-2027 biennium. This structural gap is largely attributed to a state law that restricts property tax revenue increases to 1% annually, a rate that has not kept pace with inflation and population growth. To avert the most severe consequences of the shortfall, the King County Council approved a $20.16 billion spending plan for 2026-27. This budget avoided drastic cuts to public safety by utilizing new revenue, including a 0.1% sales tax increase authorized by the state. Before the new revenue was secured, proposed cuts to address the deficit included a $30.2 million reduction to the Sheriff's office. Other public safety and judicial services, such as the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and Superior Court, also faced potential multimillion-dollar cuts. Separate from the revenue shortfall, a King County Auditor's Office report in August 2025 flagged issues within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). The audit found potential fraud and improper payments after the department's grant funding rapidly grew from $22 million to $1.5 billion between 2020 and 2023 without a corresponding increase in financial safeguards. In response to the audit, which identified payments to unapproved subcontractors and other issues, the county is investing $10 million to improve oversight and financial controls within DCHS. The department has since implemented new compliance policies and mandated anti-fraud training for staff. Meanwhile, the Seattle Fire Department's 2025-26 proposed budget includes increased investment in hiring and training. The plan adds funding for 20 additional firefighter recruits in both 2025 and 2026 to address a high vacancy rate, on top of the 60 recruits already in the base budget.