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Today marks the start one of the most critical functions of County government: the adoption of the $12.4 billion King County biennial budget. Just hours ago, the King County Executive proposed a budget that will be considered, deliberated and adopted by the King County Council over the course of the next two months.
This budget funds the wide variety of critical government services provided to King County residents, services that are even more essential as we confront the twin crises of pandemic and recession. With a $108 million deficit in the General Fund and many County programs scaling back plans in response to the recession, this will be an extremely challenging budget.
 The Executive proposes investing County budget resources to fund these important County services
As the King County Council takes up the Executive’s proposed budget, the following principles will be central to my review of the budget. Because our revenues have been so heavily impacted by the COVID-19-related economic downturn, we must be smart, responsible and results-driven to do the most good for the most people with the limited resources we have.
Put people first
We must prioritize meeting the basic needs of our residents by keeping them safe from a deadly infectious disease, expanding access to housing especially for those in the most need, reforming our legal system, and addressing mental health and behavioral health needs exacerbated by the epidemic. The budget must drive us further on our journey toward a cleaner environment, address climate change, improve water quality, make access to the outdoors easier for all, and more.
Transform how we do business
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how we see the world, as well as how we work, learn and succeed. We must take advantage of these changes to build more efficient ways of working while maintaining services. As work and commuting patterns change due to the pandemic, we need to rethink transit and mobility more generally so that they support our economy, improve equitable outcomes and reduce our impact on the environment.
Build toward a better and more equitable future
The last six months have taught us much about persistent racial inequities in our community. King County has declared racism to be a public health crisis and we must ensure that we make good on the promise of being “Martin Luther King Jr. County.” This budget represents an opportunity to transform our criminal legal system, improving outcomes for individuals and public safety for all of our communities.
Next steps
In the next two months, I will engage with specific proposals from the County Executive and my council colleagues to build King County’s 2021-2022 biennial budget. I look forward to hearing from you and our county neighbors in this process by providing input on various aspects of the budget and suggesting changes along the way.
Opportunities to give input on the biennial budget
Several King County Council committee and full council meetings will allow time for public comment on the budget, including the following:
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Wednesday, September 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (est.): Budget and Fiscal Management Committee (BFM)
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Thursday, October 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (est.): Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
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Thursday, November 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (est.): Budget and Fiscal Management Committee
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Tuesday, November 17 from 11 a.m. to12 p.m. (est.): Full Council
This is the most challenging budget during my time as a County Councilmember. It will take creativity, flexibility and a resolve to build a just, equitable and fair budget within the financial constraints of the COVID-19 recession. I welcome your input as we move forward in this important process.
Read more about the proposed 2021-22 King County budget here >>>
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Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6
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