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The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted its 2025 budget, totaling $10.2 billion as a $150 million budget deficit looms.
King County Executive Dow Constantine's proposed budget general fund totaled $1.3 billion. Since Constantine’s proposal was first introduced, only $2.65 million and 13.5 full-time equivalent positions have been added to the general fund.
The net increase in the general fund is attributed to the addition of 10 full-time positions added to the Department of Public Defense and debt service on approximately $19 million in limited tax general obligation bonded capital projects.
The budget also includes a funding plan for the Harborview Medical Center, which is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. The funding will come from a property tax levy of 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value, which is estimated to cost homeowners an average of about $87 per year. This would raise an estimated $87 million in 2025.
Final action on that levy proposal is expected on Dec. 10.
The net increases to the general fund would bring the county’s 2025 ending undesignated fund balance to approximately $63.7 million.
According to the ordinance, that balance is within the 6% to 8% range recommended by the county’s comprehensive financial management policies.
The budget also includes a funding plan for the Harborview Medical Center, which is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. The funding will come from a property tax levy of 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value, which is estimated to cost homeowners an average of about $87 per year. This would raise an estimated $87 million in 2025.
Final action on that levy proposal is expected on Dec. 10.
The net increases to the general fund would bring the county’s 2025 ending undesignated fund balance to approximately $63.7 million.
According to the ordinance, that balance is within the 6% to 8% range recommended by the county’s comprehensive financial management policies.
King County normally operates through a biennial budget, however the county is doing an annual budget for only 2025 as a result of voters approving a proposal to shift King County elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years to increase turnout.
King County will revert back to a biennial budget for 2026-2027 and beyond.