The King County Council has approved a $431 million supplemental budget for the 2026-2027 season. At the June 23 meeting, the council unanimously approved King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s supplemental budget with several amendments.
Key Budget Highlights
The budget makes significant investments in housing, human services, public safety, transit, and enhanced oversight for county programs. Approximately $49 million of the funds will be supported by the General Fund and have a net increase of 47.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and 5.5 temporary limited term (TLT) positions.
The ordinance moves $164 million from the 2028-2029 budget to the 2026-2027 budget to accelerate the purchase of 115 40-foot hybrid bus coaches. Roughly $25 million will pay for the allocated overtime and electronic data processing equipment needed for FIFA World Cup security.
The ordinance will appropriate approximately $22.8 million to begin work on the future home of the Harborview Pioneer Square Clinic, which serves low-income residents with health care services, from the County Hospital Levy fund.
Additional Budget Allocations
The Department of Public Defense will receive $8.1 million for 25 FTE positions in the Seattle Municipal Court and other professional staff positions. The ordinance appropriates $1.5 million to support flood response efforts, such as the Salvation Army connecting residents to housing assistance and furniture, and to King County’s Housing Repair Program to help residents return to safe and habitable homes as quickly as possible.
Jail Health Services (JHS) will receive about $13 million, including almost $7.5 million for an opioid treatment expansion. This expansion would ensure county compliance with a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which classifies substance use disorders as disabilities.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
