Callie Craighead, Press Secretary, Office of the Executive 

Ccraighead@kingcounty.gov 

Summary 

Executive Zahilay proposed legislation to fund emergency repairs to roads and bridges that were damaged by the December flooding emergency. 

Story 

Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced new legislation to fund urgent repairs to roads and bridges damaged by the flood emergency in December by temporarily expanding the allowable uses of the Real Estate Excise Tax 2 (REET 2).  

"The unprecedented and devastating floods in December caused extensive damage to the county’s road and bridge network that keep our entire region connected and moving,” said Executive Zahilay. “These roads and bridges are vital to the King County communities they connect linking families to jobs, students to schools, and rural communities to essential goods and services. Repairing roads and bridges is a top priority as we continue to recover, and this one-time funding solution will allow us to act with urgency to restore access and reconnect communities.” 

Executive Zahilay’s proposed legislation would amend the allowable uses of the revenue to include needed repair projects for bridges and roads damaged by the flooding, allowing the County to quickly address vital transportation and access issues affecting communities. This allowable use would sunset after one year. The legislation does not change or increase taxes. 

The Road Services Division estimates that the flooding caused over $10 million in damage to County-owned roads and bridges. The costliest repair projects include the Baring Bridge temporary replacement bridge over the South Fork Skykomish River and the Edgewick road slide repair in North Bend. Damages from the flood also includes other slides, erosion, and riverbank damages throughout other parts of unincorporated King County.  

Currently, REET 2 revenue funds capital projects in unincorporated King County through the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). This action will immediately free up funds to address more urgent needs from the floods and may defer some capital improvement projects that have unspent balances. The REET 2 revenue source is forecasted to collect $18.7 million in the 2026-2027 biennium.    

If the legislation is approved by the King County Council, the budget allocations will be transmitted by the Executive as part of the 1st Omnibus in April. 

 “I’m grateful for Executive Zahilay’s leadership in finding resources to address the immediate and urgent needs created by December’s historic and catastrophic flooding, especially for the unincorporated roads all residents rely so heavily on,” said King County Council Chair Sarah Perry (District 3). “This funding ensures the health and safety of all King County residents by allowing us to stabilize and repair flood-damaged roads and bridges and restore reliable road access for both residents and emergency responders.” 

“These funds will provide vital support to unincorporated King County residents and help ensure the infrastructure connecting our rural communities is repaired as quickly as possible,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn (District 9). “The December flood event exacerbated an already existing roads funding crisis, and I’m grateful to Executive Zahilay and my council colleagues for joining me in calling for immediate action to repair these critical roads and bridges.” 

 “Across unincorporated King County, the 2025 flooding and slides severed access, isolated residents, and drove the need for emergency repairs that strain an overextended Roads Fund,” said Leon Richardson, Director of the Department of Local Services. “This funding is necessary for us to make repairs and keep our communities safe and connected.”