Residents of five urban unincorporated areas in King County are voting throughout October to decide which local projects will receive public funding aimed at improving their communities. The process, part of King County’s second round of Participatory Budgeting, gives residents in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, North Highline/White Center, and Skyway/West Hill the power to choose which proposals will be funded in their traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
Participatory Budgeting is a two-year, community-led initiative that allows residents to gather ideas, craft proposals, and vote on how county funds will be spent. King County Executive Dow Constantine emphasized the critical role that communities play in this process, saying the initiative is built on the idea that residents know best what their communities need.
“Our Participatory Budgeting process is founded on the idea that it is our communities, with their unique strengths and insights, that are best suited to identify specific priorities to support the needs of residents,” Constantine said. “Now it’s time for community members to decide how to invest these funds in capital projects and have a direct hand in building our future together.”
Ballots are available online and at pop-up voting events, with multi-lingual assistance available to help ensure broad participation. Eligible voters include anyone who lives, works, attends school, owns a business, receives services, or worships in one of the five urban areas. Voting will remain open through October 31, and the selected projects will be funded using $11.8 million set aside by the King County Council. The funds include revenue from marijuana sales taxes, with larger shares going to North Highline/White Center and Skyway due to their high levels of need.
Leon Richardson, Director of King County Local Services, highlighted the collaborative effort between community members and staff in shaping the Participatory Budgeting process.
“This vote is the culmination of countless hours of work by community members and Local Services staff to create something tangible that benefits the urban unincorporated areas,” Richardson said. “I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how, without a blueprint, the folks involved in this process created something that will have a lasting impact. This is a great example of how, when working hand-in-hand with community, we can create something truly special.”
Participatory Budgeting was launched in 2021 after the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s proposal for a new, community-driven approach to local investment. The initiative prioritizes racial equity and gives residents the opportunity to directly influence how more than $11 million is spent on capital projects and services in their communities. The process involves identifying, discussing, and prioritizing public spending on improvements such as infrastructure, programs, and services.
Participatory Budgeting Program Manager Gloria Briggs expressed her pride in the efforts made to reach this stage of the initiative. She emphasized the unique ideas generated by community input and the importance of engaging previously underrepresented groups.
“I am so humbled that we are at this point – we are bringing ‘THE BIG PB VOTE’ to unincorporated areas of King County,” said Briggs. “After a year of co-designing with community members from these five areas, it is exciting to see all of the unique and transformative project ideas on an actual ballot. A lot of these ideas would have never surfaced had we done business as usual. Through community-led outreach efforts, we were able to engage communities that, historically, have not been represented. This is something of which I am truly proud.”
Funding for capital projects is backed by bonds, while programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill are supported by King County’s general fund, including marijuana sales tax revenues. The mix of financial resources aims to ensure that vital improvements will be made in these urban areas, addressing the specific needs identified by their residents.
Residents of these communities now have the opportunity to shape the future of their neighborhoods by choosing the projects they feel will bring the most value and positive impact.
