Budget leaders on the Metropolitan King County Council will use their own yardstick to measure the 2007 Executive Budget Proposal delivered today: a set of 11 targets called PRIORITIES FOR PEOPLE.

“As we begin to review the proposal presented to the Council, our focus will be on answering three questions,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the Council’s Annual Budget Reconciliation and Adoption Committee. “Will it help us continue to earn the public’s trust? Does it enhance the quality of life of the people of King County? Will it continue protecting the health of county residents while keeping them safe?”

Constantine cited Council and Executive financial policies dating back to 1984 that have played a major role in bringing the County the highest bond rating granted by all three major financial rating agencies, and said, “It is our shared commitment to jealously protect that strong bond rating.”

On the Executive’s emphasis on investment in infrastructure, Constantine noted, “This Council is committed, as a top priority, to providing the infrastructure for the next generation of King County residents. At the same time, our priorities speak to the need for services for people who live here right now, such as protecting public health and safety. We will look closely at how the Executive’s proposal meets those needs.”

“The County has been a leader in using performance measures to assess the effectiveness of programs and fund them accordingly,” said Councilmember Jane Hague, Chair of the Operating Budget Panel. “We will be looking for ways to further implement performance measures in the 2007 Budget. The Executive’s budget does talk about infrastructure service improvements and accountability, but it’s up to us and our performance measurement process and our accountability to make sure we use those financial tools that we have to improve services.”

Hague spoke favorably of the proposal to maintain the $10 million reserve for incentives to cities to annex urban pockets of unincorporated areas or have them incorporate. “We need to be very diligent and very responsible with residents in the areas around Renton and Kirkland so that the incentives will make it easier for them to annex to cities or form their own. That is a huge issue to me on the Eastside, to ensure their trust in government and ensure they get the level of service they deserve in the urban area.”

“The Executive has taken a strong first step with his announcements that his proposed budget will include funding for both the recently adopted Office of Law Enforcement Oversight and to ensure the continued operation of health clinics in North King County,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, Chair of the Capital Budget Panel. “What the Council will need to focus on is creating a long-term funding source for both of these vital public functions.”

“It is good to see that the Executive’s proposed budget is guided by the fiscal policies established by the County Council over the last three decades,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Vice-Chair of the Annual Budget Reconciliation and Adoption Committee. “What I will focus on is how that budget reflects the Council’s effort to ensure that we are creating “Nordstrom level” customer service for our employers: the people of King County. I also want to see a county budget that is helping county residents prepare themselves to respond to a natural or man-made disaster.”

Lambert also said the county budget must prioritize the rural areas. “The rural area is 1,750 square miles of this county with 364,000 residents who have no one else to turn to for their government needs but us. We need to make sure that they are a priority.”

PRIORITIES FOR PEOPLE
for the 2007 King County Budget

Citizens expect fiscal integrity and accountability in the use of their tax dollars. The Metropolitan King County Council meets that demand by setting priorities, funding programs consistent with those priorities, and measuring results.

Earning Public Trust
• Advance sound financial policies and prudently manage the public’s money
• Engage citizens in oversight of government services
• Strive for excellence in customer service
• Measure our performance and report back to the public

Enhancing Quality of Life
• Improve mobility for people, vehicles and freight
• Take good care of the environment and manage growth wisely
• Create and encourage vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities

Protecting Public Health and Safety
• Invest in prevention to reduce crime and the cost of detention
• Promote conditions for optimal physical and mental health
• Sustain critical health and human service programs
• Prepare our community for natural disasters and public health emergencies

The Council continues its work on the 2007 Budget with a series of public hearings for all county residents to share their testimony with the Committee:

• Tuesday, October 24. South King County – King County Regional Justice Center, Courtroom 3F, 401 Fourth Avenue N., Kent.

• Wednesday October 25. North King County – Shoreline Conference Center, Spartan Room, 18560 1st Ave. NE Shoreline.

• Wednesday November 1. East King County – Kirkland City Hall, City Council Chambers, 123 3rd Avenue, Kirkland

• Thursday, November 2. Downtown Seattle – King County Council Chambers, 10th Floor King County Courthouse, Seattle.

All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Day-after coverage of the forums will be available both online and on King County Television, the county’s government cable channel on Comcast Cable 22.