Treasury Operations

King County Treasury Operations provides services to King County government, cities, and special districts in the county, and most importantly, our residents.

Property Tax

The property tax team handles billing, collecting, distributing, and reporting of real and personal property taxes, gambling taxes, and local improvement district assessments.

In 2021, Treasury Operations billed, collected, and distributed nearly $6.3 billion in property taxes and $339 million in other assessments and fees to support the county's programs and services.

Tax Foreclosures

Real property with at least one year’s tax that is three years past due is subject to tax foreclosure.

To purchase a property from tax foreclosure, a buyer must participate in the annual online auctions, make the final bid, and make full payment immediately (as per the Terms of Sale). All sales are final.

Investment Pool

The King County Investment Pool performs accounting and cash management for all revenue funds and deposits for King County government, cities, and special taxing districts. It also invests funds for King County and junior taxing districts, following best policies and procedures to maximize return and minimize risk for public funds, and ensures appropriate liquidity for all funds.

The investment pool balance peaked at $10.4 billion and averaged $8.3 billion in 2021.

Gambling Tax

King County Treasury collects gambling taxes from businesses, nonprofits, and charities that run gambling or gaming operations in the county.

Debt Management

The Debt Management section issues and administers short and long term King County debt, including such instruments as General Obligation bonds, Lease Revenue bonds, and Sewer Revenue bonds.

Proceeds support such capital activities as Harborview Medical Center, County office space, upgrading King County's technology infrastructure, solid waste, public transportation, water quality, and open space acquisitions.

Municipal Advisor Rule Notice

The federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Municipal Advisor Rule 15Ba1-1(d)(3)(vi)(B) creates a fiduciary duty upon municipal advisors that provide advice to municipal entities within the scope of the rule.

• King County uses an Independent Registered Municipal Advisor (IRMA) for its debt management programs in accordance with the exceptions to the SEC Municipal Advisor Rule.
• King County's investment team manages an approved list of broker/dealers. Refer to the mini Request For Proposal (RFP) in accordance with the exceptions to the SEC Municipal Advisor Rule.