County budget in perspective

You’ve probably heard the news. King County is facing a $93 million budget shortfall for 2009, close to 10 percent of its general fund. This is one of the worst deficits our county government has ever experienced. Many of the most critical services provided by King County, such as health, human services and public safety, do not have dedicated funding sources, like a tax levy, to support them. Therefore, it is these regional services that will be most at risk for budget cuts.

October 20, 2008 6:30 pm

You’ve probably heard the news. King County is facing a $93 million budget shortfall for 2009, close to 10 percent of its general fund. This is one of the worst deficits our county government has ever experienced. Many of the most critical services provided by King County, such as health, human services and public safety, do not have dedicated funding sources, like a tax levy, to support them. Therefore, it is these regional services that will be most at risk for budget cuts.

What exactly does King County do?

King County government provides services you use every day. When you cast your ballot, hop on a bus, flush your toilet, run on a regional trail –- King County is making that experience safe, reliable and possible.

King County government provides both regional and local services for residents.

Regional services are provided to all King County residents and include:

• Public health functions like disease control, and water sanitation;

• Criminal-justice services such as the courts and jails;

• Metro bus service;

• Management and tabulation of elections;

• Animal care and control;

• Emergency management planning services;

• Human services;

• Acquisition and maintenance of trails, parks and open space;

• Wastewater management.

Local services, including roads and police services, are provided for unincorporated areas.

While we enjoy the benefits of a dedicated funding source for many services, such as bus transportation, flood protection, mental health resources, parks and Medic One, the county’s budget crisis lies within the general fund. This fund is supported primarily by sales and property tax revenues, which are vulnerable to the economy and limited in their growth. The need to cut programs from the general fund is concerning to me and to many of our city leaders because the potential impacts of fewer sheriff deputies, diminished ability to fight the spread of disease, overcrowded jails and less assistance for children and families in need will be felt by all of us, countywide.

Although we are confronted with difficult budget decisions, I believe we will create solutions that maintain core government services.

As we move forward, I ask for your ideas on how we can preserve King County’s high quality of life.