Patterson: Adopted 2010 Budget prioritizes funding for critical services

November 23, 2009

Summary

Difficult deliberations result in spending plan that continues to protect the public, victims of abuse

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Julia Patterson said after two months of difficult deliberations and public testimony, the 2010 King County Budget unanimously adopted by the County Council today strikes a balance between public safety and vital county services.

“Public safety is not only a legal mandate, but a necessity in retaining the public’s trust and maintaining our quality of life,” said Patterson. “Our criminal justice agencies will take minor cuts of no more than 1 percent as opposed to the Council and Executive office budgets sustaining more than 10 percent cuts.”

Patterson, who represents the communities of Tukwila, Kent, SeaTac, Des Moines, and Renton, served on the 2010 budget leadership team, which is the Council’s budget decision-making body. She worked with the Council to use cost-cutting strategies to close a $56 million shortfall in the County’s general fund budget without raising taxes.

While this was one of the most difficult budgets in the County’s history due to declining revenues from sales and property taxes, the Council was able to prioritize funding for some of the most critical services provided by local government. No criminal justice agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, District Court, the Prosecutor’s Office, and Superior Court, will receive cuts of more than 1 percent in 2010.

Although the Council was unable to fund many human services agencies, Patterson and the Budget Leadership Team did restore countywide funding to domestic abuse and sexual assault services.

“We need both a strong criminal justice system and a stable, well-functioning support network for women affected by physical and sexual violence,” said Patterson. “I believe in this so strongly, I would argue that domestic and sexual violence support is as much a public safety service as having police on the street.”

Faced with the threat of 39 park closures, the Council and Executive developed a plan, through partnerships with 45 local organizations and governments, to keep the parks open for all who enjoy and benefit from them. Over three-fourths of the parks are located in South King County.

“Parks are an invaluable asset to our region, providing healthy and active spaces for all residents,” said Patterson. “Many of the parks we were able to save are located in some of our most vulnerable populations, and to close any one of them would have meant a significant loss for the thousands of children, teens and adults that utilize them for recreation and community gatherings.”

Patterson said the 2010 budget delivers good news for bus riders in South King County. Despite a projected $213 million dollar deficient in Metro Transit’s revenues for 2010 and 2011, the Council was able to prevent cuts to bus service over the next two year by implementing recommendations from a recent audit of Metro and through staff reductions. “The Council recognized now is not the time to cut bus service. With the recession driving more people in South King County out of their cars and onto buses, we knew we need to find a way to preserve the number of buses on our streets.”

The budget also includes funding for a sixth Rapid Ride line, which will connect the Burien to Renton by way of connections in Tukwila to Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail starting in 2013.

“People have repeated asked me for better transit options to get them around, not just in and out of, Sound King County,” said Patterson. “This sixth Rapid Ride line will deliver a fast east-west connection across this heavily traveled corridor.”

Patterson said throughout budget process, the Council heard from thousands of people, and their comments were incorporated into the final budget.

“I want to thank everyone who came to a public hearing, met with my staff, or called and wrote me with their thoughts and ideas about the budget,” she said. “Listening to your comments and suggestions has played a key role in helping us understand and act upon your priorities throughout this difficult decision-making process.”