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Happy autumn. With the change of seasons also comes the change of tasks.
We will be moving from policy-making committee work to review of the 2026-27 budget. King County Executive Braddock will propose her budget next week and officially deliver it to the council for its review. We are required by state law to pass a balanced budget on time. No deficit spending and no delays.
The budget review process –like policy-making – will expose differences of opinion. Our council of 9 separate individuals, representing 9 different districts, will advocate for their districts, for different visions for King County and ultimately will come together to forge compromise.
Our democracy depends on this ability to have peaceful dialogue with respect for those with differing opinions. The legislative branch is a precious institution, one that provides a structure and means for settling differences through spoken word, through relationships of mutual respect and an understanding that we must ultimately work together.
The council resolves differences through argument, through examining the facts, through proposing solutions and finding ways to share a “win”.
Our nation needs to hold onto and esteem these values to prevent escalation of force and political violence. We need to not only express ourselves, but listen respectfully and hear those around us. We need to find and encourage connection, respect and that it is ok to “agree to disagree” and settle our differences in the legislative arena.
I believe if we do this consistently as a shared cultural value, we can prevent more political violence. There should be no place for political violence in America.
I hope as we move forward with budget deliberations, we can set an example of how to acknowledge differences while ensuring King County remains a great place to live.
The goal of the D5 e-news* is to share information about King County business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
*To translate this week’s e-news into another language, scroll down and click on the language of your choice. Whether you would like to read this e-news more easily or whether you are studying a new language, we are bringing you language technology to help us stay connected.
On Monday, I met with staff to prepare for the Transportation, Natural Resources, Local Services, and Roads budget panel I will be chairing. I also met with Sound Cities Executive Director, Robert Feldstein to discuss issues facing cities in King County.
On Tuesday, I met with Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton about ferry service between Des Moines, Vashon Island, and Downtown Seattle. Mayor Buxton is a great advocate for multimodal transportation and the Des Moines waterfront.
I also joined my colleagues to meet with Counselor Victor Hugo Lopez Ortega, Consulate of Mexico in Seattle.
I joined my colleagues in our weekly full Council meeting. We paid tribute to the service of public employees who have given their lives and careers to serving King County in fields ranging from water resource management to metro transit.
We also presented a proclamation recognizing National Recovery Month in King County and specifically Heather Venegas for her work as the Director of the King County Recovery Coalition.
Left to right: CM Mosqueda, CM von Reichbauer, CM Quinn, CM Balducci, CM Baron, CM Perry, Heather Venegas, Director King County Recovery Coalition, CM Zahilay, CM Dunn, staff from King County Recovery Coalition.
We also recognized Latin Heritage Month in King County and September 16, 2025 as Mexican Independence Day.
Left to right: Marcos Wanless, President and Founder of Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce, CM Baron, CM Balducci, CM Mosqueda, CM Quinn, CM Perry, CM Dunn, CM von Reichbauer, CM Dembowski, Counselor Victor Hugo Lopez Ortega, Consulate of Mexico Seattle, Alejandra Tres, Co-founder Comunidad Latina de Vashon
We also voted in favor of a one-year solid waste rate increase to support King County’s transfer stations that handle our garbage and yard waste. The rate was amended to include an incentive against closures of transfer stations which cause problems for commercial haulers.
The Council discussed in detail ways to improve contract monitoring of grants provided to community organizations following an audit of the Department of Community and Human Services which found flaws in contracting oversight. I spoke in favor of greater accountability and transparency as well as technical assistance to ensure a community organization with a good idea, but limited experience, can get up to speed with appropriate financial protocols. This is vital to protecting public funds. The vote on this will be next week.
I also met with King County Executive Shannon Braddock.
On Wednesday, I met with CM Sara Perry and staff regarding Local Services and Roads Budget panel. I met with Budget Director Dwight Dively about challenges we will be facing when reviewing the 2026-2027 budget. Our review will begin when the budget is transmitted on September 23.
I also attended the Regional Transit Committee where we discussed language accessibility and ways to make riding transit easy for residents and visitors who speak languages other than English. In District 5, 39.8% of the population speaks a language other than English at home. In addition, the upcoming World Cup games in 2026 will attract visitors from all over the world who will use our Metro transit system.
The Regional Transit Committee will also discuss how to make Metro Transit more accessible to people with disabilities.
On Thursday, I met with communications staff regarding the Strategic Climate Action Plan which is a large comprehensive plan. We discussed ways to share it effectively with the public. I also met with WA State legislator Steve Berquist to discuss ways to expand secondary educational options for kids – such as expanding the Promise program which provides tuition coverage for community college students who have graduated from public high schools.
On Friday, my staff prepared for the week ahead at our district office in Kent.
Next week, my colleagues, staff and I will be preparing for the review of the 2026-2027 King County Budget which will be transmitted on Tuesday September 23.
King County provides critical local and regional services to more than 2 million people, with a 2-year budget of $15.8 billion, 16,700 employees, and more than 60 different services.
Would you like more information on the King County budget? How your tax dollars support services ranging from Metro transit to Public Health, to our Sheriff, Prosecutor and Public Defense?
Watch this video for general information about the budget process.
Click above for information on public review of the King County budget
We will include more information on the 2026-27 budget when it is officially transmitted on September 23.
If you have opinions on how the King County budget should be allocated, you are welcome to send me an email, give us a call, or come to a public meeting. Desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov, 206 477-1005
Here are some important upcoming dates.
September 23, 2025 9:30 am
Committee of the Whole will receive a briefing on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission. It will also consider projects nominated to receive Waterworks grants. Waterworks grants support neighborhood and community efforts to protect and enhance clean water.
Tuesday, September 23, 1:30 pm
King County Executive Shannon Braddock will present her proposed 2026-2027 budget to the Council in a speech to the King County Council. You can watch her speech on Channel 22 or on-line on King County Television.
The Council will also consider renewal of the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency tax. It will also discuss legislation to respond to the audit findings regarding improving contract oversight by the Department of Community and Human Services.
Thursday, September 24, 1:30 pm
At the Sound Transit Board meeting, members will discuss several items related to the 2025 agency budget, the annual 2025 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, and the three-year Title VI program for submittal to the FTA.
Tuesdays, October 7 and 14, 9 am-noon
I will be chairing the Transit, Natural Resources, Local Services, and Roads budget panel. This panel will review funding for Metro Transit, the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Local Services, and Roads.
Wednesdays, October 8 and 15, 9 am
The Law & Justice Panel chaired by CM Jorge Baron will review funding proposed for services including the sheriff, prosecutor, courts, and public defense.
Thursdays, October 9 and 16, 9 am-noon
The Health, Housing and Human Services Panel chaired by CM Teresa Mosqueda review funding proposed for these services.
You are welcome to both learn about the budget and send comments through a specially designed 2026-2027 King County Budget Portal. The portal is being finalized for publication next week!
You are also welcome to write emails, letters or request appointments with your representatives to share your thoughts about the items on these agendas. You can find a list of councilmembers here.
I hope this information is helpful to you. I am committed to keeping you informed about what King County government is doing on behalf of District 5, including the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, and Tukwila. I want to make sure we stay connected as a community.
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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