November 2011

Dear Neighbor,

On November 9, the King County Council adopted its 2012 Budget ahead of schedule for the second straight year. As the Council’s Budget Chair, I am proud of our ability to work together to pass a budget that is both humane and efficient. This e-newsletter highlights some of our greatest accomplishments in the 2012 budget and I hope you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Julia Patterson, King County Councilmember - District 5

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Reprioritizing $1 million for Human Services

Supporting a strong public defense system

Preserving maintenance on our county roads

Continuing reform and fiscal responsibility

Preparing for upcoming challenges

King County Councilmember
Julia Patterson
www.kingcounty.gov/patterson
julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov

Reprioritizing $1 million for Human Services

The Council recognized the effects the economy is having on the most basic human needs and reorganized the Executive’s budget proposal for human services. Instead of having funds allocated through a competitive process, the Council has allocated $1 million in one-time funds to be split equally among three regional organizations that work directly with countywide programs assisting those in need. They are: Food Lifeline (food), The YWCA (shelter) and the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (safety). This investment will provide services as quickly and directly as possible to families and individuals who have been hardest hit by the recession.

The Budget Committee held multiple public hearings to provide residents with an opportunity to testify about the budget proposal. Many people spoke about the need to increase funding for human services in this tough economic climate.

Supporting a strong public defense system

Public defense is a vital component of the county’s criminal justice system. Our public defenders provide legal assistance to citizens who cannot afford a lawyer. The 2012 Budget increases the public defense budget to reduce the overall felony caseload maintained by the attorneys defending indigent participants in the criminal justice system.

Preserving maintenance on our county roads

The 2012 budget responds to ongoing funding challenges in the county’s Road Services Division by providing direction to decrease middle management positions while increasing frontline direct services. The Council has increased the span of control so there is now 1 manager to at least 8 employees in the division, where before it was 1 to 4. This direction dedicates additional resources for the preservation of our county roads.

Continuing reform and fiscal responsibility

This budget adopts the LEAN approach proposed by the County Executive to increase the value of services to King County residents while using fewer resources. This is the same process that companies like Toyota and Boeing have used to streamline customer service while minimizing waste. In addition, the 2012 budget continues to protect the county’s AAA bond rating by not using the County’s cash reserves or tapping the rainy day fund. This means the county pays lower interest on the bonds we sell to fund construction of capital projects, which saves our taxpayers money.