Council Approves $10.2 Billion Budget for 2025 with Massive Investments in Public Safety, Health, Housing, and Transit

The King County Council on Tuesday approved a $10.2 billion, one-year county budget that invests in critical regional priorities, including public safety, public health, public defense, and comprehensive planning, along with millions of dollars for affordable housing and other capital projects across King County.

Highlights of funding in the budget include:

• $56 million in bond funding for affordable housing projects near transit stations;
• $113 million for increased bus and mobility services, expanded RapidRide service, enhanced connectivity for Link light rail expansions on the Eastside and in Federal Way;
• $64 million to fund expanded Metro safety and security, support for youth involved in the legal system, treatment for substance use disorder, overdose prevention and maintained investment in intervention, prevention and restoration services for those impacted by gun violence;
• $91 million to support environmental preservation, including conservation of up to 3,600 acres of open space, continue efforts to restore fish passage and restore habitat for salmon, and expansion of forest cover in historically underserved parts of unincorporated King County;
• $455 million to reduce climate emissions and increase King County’s resiliency to climate change, including building Metro’s first fully electric base and 120 new zero-emission buses, completion of Eastrail, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in new and existing buildings.

Council also added key investments on top of the County Executive’s original proposal:

• Public defense, including adding $1.8 million to support 10 new positions in the Department of Public Defense;
• Public safety: Sustains enhanced courthouse security efforts provided by Sheriff Deputies and provides $459k in additional funding for three new juvenile probation counselors;
• Fundamental services, including an extensive analysis of the base budget as King County heads into its next budget with a projected shortfall;
• Other additions and restrictions that lay the groundwork for future shortfalls and changes in revenue.

Council also added spending restrictions that promote effective and accountable governance on the issues constituents care about most. The budget also includes a funding plan for Harborview Medical Center, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. The funds will come from a property tax levy of 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value, an average cost to homeowners of about $87 per year, raising an estimated $87 million in 2025. Final action on the levy proposal is expected on December 10.

The budget still leaves a projected $150 million shortfall in the General Fund for the next biennial budget, an issue that will complicate the Council’s work to finalize a balanced budget next year. Inflation and state restrictions on revenue sources for county governments mean King County’s cost of providing services has outpaced its revenue and will continue to do so. Councilmembers will continue to work with local, state and regional leaders to find solutions to maintain robust services while balancing the budget.

Budget Review Process

The King County Council reviewed the proposed $10.2 billion budget for King County for 2025 during the fall.

The Budget Committee offered multiple opportunities for the public to learn about and weigh in on the Council’s budget priorities. The budget review process began September 23rd with the transmission of the King County Executive’s proposed budget, and wrapped up in late November, when the Council ipproved the finalized budget.

The schedule included town hall meetings taking place around King County and budget panels. The panels focused on specific budget issues. In addition to these, the Council held meetings to take final action on the proposal at committee and full Council.

Our budget panels began the week of October 7th. Please learn more about how to participate or watch here.

Panel 1, Oct 8 – Public Transit, Climate, Local Services and Infrastructure (watch video)

Panel 2, Oct 9 – Public Safety (watch video)

Panel 3, Oct 10 – Health, Housing and Human Services (watch video)