2026-2027 Supplemental Budget

On Sept. 24, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted a $746 million supplemental budget to the King County Council. This proposal will amend the 2026-2027 budget adopted last November.

The budget package advances urgent priorities and makes critical investments in infrastructure, transit, land conservation, workforce and small business support, and climate action.

King County continues to face significant budget constraints, and the General Fund is facing a $120 million shortfall in the 2028-2029 biennium. To lessen the severity of reductions in 2028-2029, every agency receiving funding from the General Fund was asked to identify savings. As a result, the proposed budget includes $15.4 million in General Fund savings, including $8.7 million in reductions.

As a part of the Executive’s good governance work, the proposed budget increases the General Fund’s emergency reserves to the maximum of 8% of annual revenues, which allows the County to respond to unanticipated needs. The budget also includes $28M in the County’s “Rainy Day Fund.” This supports the County ‘s excellent AAA bond rating which allows the County to borrow money at a lower cost.

Key investments include:

• $19.5 million to create 612 new units of shelter and affordable housing throughout the region, advancing the Executive’s Breaking the Cycle commitment to fund, site, and develop 500 units of shelter and housing in 500 days.
• $198 million in major capital investments to expand access to critical healthcare, including building out the Seattle Crisis Care Center and new medical facilities and infrastructure at Harborview Medical Center.
• $100 million in conservation funding to protect 1,500 acres of land, increasing access to urban greenspace, restoring habitat, and protecting forestland and farmland for future generations.
• $68 million to invest in the preservation, maintenance, and safety of county-owned roads and bridges.
• $64.4 million for the RapidRide R line to expedite delivery of the project and improve transit between Downtown Seattle and Rainier Beach.
• $19 million for tenant improvements to activate space in King County owned buildings, including the implementation of the County’s hybrid work policy.
• $12 million in parks funds for a new public regional sports facility in Marymoor Park matched by a $12 million private investment.
• $9.3 million in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) investments to help King County become universally accessible to all, including upgrades at county-owned facilities and ADA compliance for public-facing digital services.
• $5 million to hire new attorneys, supervisors, and support staff in the Department of Public Defense to meet new legally required caseload standards and ensure clients receive high-quality legal representation.
• $4.6 million to protect residents from extreme weather, lower energy costs, reduce pollution, and prepare workers for clean energy jobs. Investments include expanding the Energize program to improve heating, cooling, and energy efficiency in communities hardest hit by climate change, supporting neighborhood hubs that provide resources and relief during emergencies, and training workers for clean energy jobs.
• $4.4 million to extend the lease of the Salvation Army’s SODO Shelter through the end of 2027, preserving over 200 shelter beds.
• $4.2 million to strengthen oversight of public dollars in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), adding capacity to address audit requirements, improve procurement, and ensure contracts deliver promised services. This investment builds on recent improvements and advances the Executive’s Better Government commitment to accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
• $2.5 million to sustain the Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s work, supporting community partners who intervene in conflicts, prevent retaliation, and connect people at highest risk of gun violence with support. This investment continues critical prevention work that would otherwise end in December 2026.
• $1.05 million to support workforce development programs and small business technical assistance throughout King County.
• $500,000 to establish a new Office of Labor Standards to strengthen labor standards and support an empowered workforce in unincorporated areas.

The budget also begins implementing base budget review as directed in Executive Zahilay’s Better Government Executive Order, saving $24 million in the capital program that can be used on future projects.

The proposed supplemental budget is under consideration by the King County Council.