Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Tuesday, the King County Council voted to approve a new sales tax without direct voter approval. I voted 'NO'.

The tax does not have a defined spending plan but is expected to fund youth homelessness services through the Department of Community and Human Services. Its passage came on the very same day as the appointment of a new Inspector General (more on that below), who is being hired following an Ombuds investigation that revealed waste, fraud, or abuse likely occurred across other DCHS youth-oriented programs.

“Families across King County are being squeezed by the high costs of housing, groceries, and fuel. At the same time, the county has had to take repeated steps to address waste and fraud in its own spending. Before asking King County families to once again pay more, we ought to get our own house in order.”

– King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn

I was thankful to be able to join the Gee and Ursula Show the other day to discuss why King County should fix its oversight and financial mismanagement problems before raising taxes on an already overtaxed population. On the show, I explained that, since King County already has one of the highest sales taxes in the nation, leaders should be extremely wary about funding even more "blank-check" programs.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE.

Click on the picture to watch the video.

As your voice on the King County Council, I consider it one of my most important responsibilities to protect taxpayer dollars, encourage fiscal responsibility, and stop King County from becoming more unaffordable.

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

Protecting People, Property, and Habitat with Congresswoman Kim Schrier

Rep. Kim Schrier and CM Reagan Dunn tour flood infrastructure investments along the Green River.

It was an honor to recently host Congresswoman Kim Schrier for a tour of the Green River alongside King County Flood Control District staff. During the tour, we discussed opportunities to work together on critical flood protection infrastructure. I appreciate Congresswoman Schrier's partnership and shared commitment to protecting the lives, homes, properties, and natural habitats of the communities we both serve.

The historic flooding we experienced in December 2025 was a powerful reminder of the significant flood risks facing King County. Despite the severity of flooding last year, it’s important to note that there was no loss of life in King County. This was due in no small part to the investments in flood risk reduction infrastructure made by the Flood Control District. And that work can only happen if we work together at all levels of government. 

One of the privileges of serving on the King County Council is the opportunity to work across party lines and political divides to deliver meaningful results for our communities. I'm grateful for Congresswoman Schrier's leadership, engagement, and willingness to work with me collaboratively on our shared priority of protecting King County residents from flooding. I look forward to continuing to work together with her to protect people and property while preserving vital fish and wildlife habitat for future generations.

Appointing King County's First Inspector General!

The King County Council votes to appoint Stuart Robinson as the county’s first Inspector General.

The King County Council appointed Stuart Robinson as the county’s first Inspector General this week. Robinson brings impressive credentials to the role, including 26 years with the FBI investigating financial crimes, government fraud, and public corruption. He also spent nearly a decade leading investigations for inspector general offices in Florida and has helped train investigators nationwide.

A 26-year FBI veteran is exactly the kind of candidate we hoped to attract when we created this office. At a time of sky-high costs, strained public trust, and continuing reports of financial misuse, King County taxpayers deserve a watchdog with the experience and authority to conduct rigorous oversight, pursue independent investigations, and ensure meaningful accountability. I’m glad taxpayers will now have someone of this caliber looking out for them.

Robinson’s appointment, a five-year term, is the latest in my years-long effort to create better oversight of taxpayer funds and restore financial accountability in King County. It builds on last year’s vote to approve my comprehensive reform package that overhauled oversight of taxpayer-funded grants within DCHS. That action followed an audit I requested, as well as a subsequent independent investigation by the Ombuds Office, which identified widespread oversight failures and potential fraud.

I greatly appreciate Councilmember Dembowski’s leadership in bringing this legislation forward as the lead sponsor, as well as the support of my colleagues who joined in the effort. There is more work to do, but this is an important step toward protecting taxpayer dollars and rebuilding public trust.

In the News

• The Bellevue Reporter: King County could be an example of accountable government | Reagan Dunn
• The Seattle Times: Another ‘blank check’ program passes at King County
• MyNorthwest: ‘It’s a failed experiment’: Reagan Dunn calls for closing King County homelessness authority
• KIRO7: King County Council approves sales tax increase without seeking voter approval
• The Center Square: King County increases sales tax to support emergency homeless services
• KIRO News Radio: Reagan Dunn: Show Us the Plan Before You Tax Us
• Seattle Red: King County Council approves sales tax hike with no public vote and no spending plan attached
• MyNorthwest: ‘A blank check’: Reagan Dunn says King County should fix oversight before raising sales tax
• King5: ‘Taxes are going one way, jobs are going the other,’ Seattle business leader says of new analysis