By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The King County Council is set to deliberate a $394 million supplemental budget proposed by Executive Girmay Zahilay that aims to address housing, public safety, infrastructure, and community needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The proposal would amend the 2026-2027 budget adopted in November and reflects what county leaders describe as a response to urgent and evolving community priorities.
“Every dollar in this budget is a commitment to the people of King County,” said Zahilay. “From keeping our communities safe during a historic World Cup, to making sure families have a roof over their head.”
County Councilmember Jorge Barón said the proposal reflects the importance of investing in systems that support community well-being.
“As both a councilmember and a county resident, there is no priority more urgent and critical to me than keeping everyone in our community safe,” said Barón. “Especially our young people, we must continue to enhance our region’s mental health and social support systems.”
A significant portion of the proposed funding focuses on transportation, housing, and essential services. Housing investments are a key part of the proposal, reflecting the county’s ongoing effort to address affordability and displacement.
The budget includes $164 million for King County Metro to begin purchasing 115 hybrid electric buses, with delivery expected between 2028 and 2029.
Another $25 million is allocated to the King County Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Management to support public safety during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an event expected to draw large international crowds, including additional staffing and multilingual outreach efforts.
Health and housing investments are also central to the proposal. The budget sets aside $23 million to begin work on a new Pioneer Square Clinic, which serves low-income residents who may otherwise lack access to care. An additional $2 million is designated for rental assistance, along with $2 million to support immigrant and refugee communities through legal, food, and housing resources.
The proposal also includes funding to address recent emergencies and infrastructure needs. About $13.2 million would go toward communities affected by December’s flood emergency, including repairs to roads and bridges and expanded recovery programs for residents. Another $6.5 million is earmarked for safety-related capital improvements at county facilities, including the King County Courthouse and correctional facilities.
Additional investments include $4.9 million to fund labor agreements and $2.7 million to expand staffing in the Department of Public Defense, adding investigators, paralegals, and other support roles to improve legal representation.
The budget also carries forward $101 million in previously allocated but unspent funds from 2025 into the current budget cycle. That includes $45 million for Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy programs, including housing and home repair initiatives, as well as $5 million to support 60 units of permanent supportive housing at the Rainier Beach Family Empowerment Center.
Zahilay said the proposal is also intended to improve how county government operates, including reorganizing functions within the Executive’s Office to streamline operations while maintaining accountability.
The budget aligns with the county’s recent executive order on governance and financial management, which requires that all new full-time positions be supported by sustainable funding sources, such as grants or external contracts.
While council members have not rejected the proposal, several have indicated that approval will come with increased scrutiny and oversight. Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Rod Dembowski, and Sarah Perry have called for additional financial safeguards.
“It is essential that we do everything in our power as government officials to be effective stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure each and every one of our investments goes directly toward improving our communities,” said Perry. “My colleagues and I look forward to collaborating with Executive Zahilay to implement the recommendations of this supplement to strengthen King County’s fiscal responsibility and restore our community members’ trust in the financial management of all of our county agencies.”
The King County Council will now review the proposal in the coming weeks as leaders weigh how to balance immediate community needs with long-term financial stability.
Zahilay said his administration is focused on improving transparency and responsiveness in county government.
“Delivering a government that is more present, more accountable, and more responsive than ever before. And we’re doing all of this while being responsible stewards of public dollars.”
