Dear Friend

Just as the worldwide recession caused you and your family to reevaluate your priorities and how you spend your money, King County is undergoing the same process with your tax dollars. As the Chair of the 2010 Budget Process, I will engage my colleagues in many of the same or similar conversations that have occurred in households throughout the county – what are our priorities and how should we spend our limited resources to best achieve our goals. Alternatives to detention, public health, criminal justice, and the threat of flooding in the Green River Valley will definitely top the list of issues the county must face now and in the foreseeable future. If you have any thoughts on these and other priorities or have a comment regarding your regional government, please feel free to contact me at larry.gossett@kingcounty.gov.

King County Budget Update

Much attention has been given to the projected $56 million deficit facing the county’s general fund – the fund that supports the courts, the sheriff, public health, etc. – in 2010. However, the general fund is not the only county fund to be affected by the bad economy. In fact, virtually all King County funds are in financial distress as a result of the recession. By way of example, the projected deficit for Metro Transit is $213 million for the 2010/2011 biennium.

The stress placed on all King County funds during a time of economic slowdown is exacerbated by the structural gap or the difference between the statutorily allowed rate of growth in revenues and the increase in expenditures. Many county funds rely heavily on revenues from sales tax, real estate excise tax, or new construction all of which are much lower than previously projected. As Budget Chair, I have worked closely with our Council Budget Leadership Team, the County Executive and the Office of Management and Budget all year to closely monitor this situation. For more information on the King County budget please visit www.kingcounty.gov/council/budget/budget_basics.aspx

Prepare for Flooding in the Green River Valley
(No More Katrinas)

The US Army Corps of Engineers has warned King County residents that the Green River Valley is facing a high likelihood of severe flooding this winter – and possibly for the next three to five years, as a result of structural problems with the federally owned and operated Howard Hanson Dam. King County and the affected cities of Kent, Auburn, Renton, and Tukwila have been working together to prepare residents for flooding this winter.

Residents and businesses in the affected areas should not wait for winter – you should begin by purchasing flood insurance, making an emergency plan, and preparing an emergency kit. Most importantly, if you live in the Green River Valley you should prepare for the worst – starting in the rainy season of October.

For more information on flood preparedness visit www.kingcounty.gov/safety/FloodPlan.aspx. To prepare an emergency kit or to learn more about 3 Days 3 Ways visit www.govlink.org/3days3ways/buildakit.html.

Councilmember Gossett with staff and members of Casa Latina. Gossett will be receiving Casa Latina’s annual leadership award at their 15th Anniversary Gala Dinner on October 17, 2009.

Transportation Town Hall

I previously mentioned Metro is facing a $213 million deficit for the 2010/2011 budget biennium. Because of this deficit, I am hosting a Town Hall meeting on public transportation. I would like very much for you to come to this meeting and receive background information on this budget shortfall and let me know how you think we should fix this problem. Should we raise bus fares or taxes to create more revenue or should we cut bus routes or encourage people to ride light rail? The Town Hall will be held

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
at 6:00
at the Rainer Vista Boys and Girls Club
located at 4520 MLK Jr. Way South.

I will be pleased if you attend and bring others who are concerned about or impacted by King County’s public transportation budget crisis.