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

November 20, 2024

The King County Council approved a $10.2 billion on November 19, 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.
 
For more information about the budget, visit the Council’s budget page.
 
QUOTES:
 
Budget Chair Girmay Zahilay: “Today, the King County Council came together to unanimously pass this budget. As we navigate this period of economic uncertainty and a massive revenue shortfall, it’s important that we do not balance the budget on the backs of the people who rely on our services. This was a difficult budget, but we abided by smart budgeting principles while supporting critical services. We were able to keep our rainy day reserve balance at 7.8%, which is on the more conservative end of our policy range. Today’s budget vote is an investment in affordable housing, public safety, behavioral health services, climate resiliency, and so much more. I want to thank my Budget Leadership Team, our incredible staff, the Executive, our constituents, and my colleagues who helped craft this budget.” 
 
Councilmember Jorge Barón: “I’m pleased that the 2025 budget will ensure stable funding and maintain the core county services that King County residents depend on. However, the county faces a substantial shortfall in future years in the flexible funds that we rely on to support services that our residents value, and there are also risks to funding at the federal level. It is therefore critical that we work with state legislators and our residents in the coming year to ensure King County can continue to make and preserve vital investments in our communities.”
 
Councilmember Sarah Perry: “I am grateful for the opportunity to work hard with the Council's Budget Leadership Team, hosting community meetings and engaging in conversations with many individuals and community organizations over months to pass this 2025 budget," said Councilmember Sarah Perry. "We prioritized limited resources in response to the highest priorities for our community members. This includes ensuring an effective public safety response, emphasizing our infrastructure investments such as roads and culverts, prioritizing environmental protections for salmon, waterways, and our open spaces, and advocating for support in housing and development, including the much-needed investment toward permitting and code enforcement. I'm thankful for King County's strong vision and am looking forward to seeing the impact of these investments for years to come!"
 
Councilmember Rod Dembowski: “The balanced budget adopted by the Council today for 2025 makes important investments in public safety, transit, conservation, public health, and projects and programs that help build community resiliency. I appreciated the opportunity to serve on the council’s Budget Leadership Team and chair the Public Safety Panel, and have worked with my colleagues to make investments to enhance the quality of life for King County residents. I am particularly proud of the work my office has undertaken in partnership with community leaders to secure launch funding for King County’s Equitable Development Initiative. This significant braided stream of funding will support community-led housing and economic development projects in communities at heightened risk of displacement. The EDI investment package is an important commitment to our most vulnerable residents that King County stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them in the work necessary to build and strengthen our county’s diverse and vibrant communities who are facing the greatest risk of displacement.”