Sims invests in bricks and mortar of government in 2007 budget- King County

Oct. 16, 2006

Sims invests in bricks and mortar of government in 2007 budget

Sims invests in bricks and mortar of government in 2007 budget King County Executive Ron Sims today unveiled a 2007 budget that continues strategic investments in vital infrastructure of technology, transportation, human & health services, sewage treatment and criminal justice. The nearly $4 billion budget makes modest increases in services while continuing conservative fiscal policies that have helped the county renew its historic Triple-A bond rating.

"After seven painful years of cuts, this is our second year in a row that we have been able to balance the budget without service and spending reductions," said Executive Sims. "While the economy is strong today, the forecasts for 2008 and beyond are not good and we must be cautious. It's our responsibility to protect our financial position as we face a future with high energy prices and cuts in federal and state funding for public health."

Criminal justice costs have grown to 71 percent of the proposed $625 million Current Expense (CX) Fund and includes new technology and staff for the Sheriff. The $1.09 billion Capital Improvement Program includes $694 million for sewage treatment construction necessary to protect water quality – twice the budget of last year and part of the region's most ambitious clean water capital program in more than 40 years.

Sims proposes strategic investments in technology, clean water and people's health that will help preserve people's quality of life now and in the future. The county is investing in the basics while also using innovation, partnerships and new approaches to prepare for the future, including an expected population increase of about 280,000 people in the next 20 years.

"We are in a new century and face new challenges such as global warming and a predicted flu pandemic," said Sims. "We are using innovations to turn waste into resources and adding new technology to help police and emergency responders do their jobs more easily.
"We recognize that many of our modern infrastructure needs are different than when this government was formed and consider preservation of open space and adding trails vital ‘green infrastructure,'" Sims said "We now know that people's health correlates to walkable communities and access to parks, trails and recreation. In addition, open space helps reduce pollution and protects water supplies."

Proposed investments outlined in Sims' 2007 budget include nearly $20 million to protect more than 1,200 acres of open space, including riverfront lands along the Cedar, Green and Tolt rivers, and expands and improves 16 miles of King County's nationally acclaimed trail system. It also provides for much-needed improvements to parks, pools and other amenities.

Sims urged the council to renew the Annexation Initiative and to maintain the $10 million annexation reserve. It is expected that as many as 57,000 residents of urban unincorporated King County will be annexed into local cities as part of the county's Annexation Initiative to control cost of services. Sims said in the coming weeks he will send four interlocal agreements to council for the annexation of five of the ten major urban unincorporated areas within the cities of Renton, Auburn and Federal Way.

The Executive has made stable state funding for public health his 2007 legislative priority as the county continues to fill the gap between need and stagnant state funding.
King County's CX spending on public health has increased 80 percent in the last four years since the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was repealed.

The proposed $27.5 million in 2007 CX funds for health includes $2.4 million to keep the doors open at all public health clinics at least through the first six months of the year. The department had recommended closing two clinics and a dental facility in the Northgate and Northshore areas in order to balance its budget.

The 2007 budget invests $36.6 million in technology projects across 15 agencies to improve accountability, customer services, efficiency and risk management. Examples of projects include technology that allows phone, video and computer communication even during a disaster when power, cell signals, phones and broadcast services are disrupted. And, King County Sheriff's deputies will soon have wireless Web service for instant access to criminal histories from the FBI, the Washington State Patrol and Washington courts.

"People expect their government to provide the basics while planning for the future and this budget delivers on that expectation," said Executive Sims. "Like any homeowner who makes sure the roof doesn't leak, the plumbing is sound and the heater works, this budget invests in our quality of life that includes clean water, sound bridges, and modern technology."

The Transportation Department budget proposes accelerating a bridge safety program with $1.5 million for the $16 million project to replace 57 aging short span bridges beginning in 2007. High priority bridges will be re-constructed within 10 years, rather than 20.

Other budget priorities include:

A capital plan to bring $48 million to repair Vashon Island's aging seawalls to protect the highways.
$1.3 million to fund the most urgently needed reforms recommended by the Sheriff's blue ribbon panel including: 10 new sergeants to address span-of-control issues identified by the panel, eight other new positions to create an inspectional services unit, an employee early intervention system and the creation of a new office of oversight.
$45 million for homeless housing and supportive services including $18.2 million in capital funds for housing.

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Excellence in Government Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims King County Executive You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print Oct. 16, 2006 Sims invests in bricks and mortar of government in 2007 budget King County Executive Ron Sims today unveiled a 2007 budget that continues strategic investments in vital infrastructure of technology, transportation, human & health services, sewage treatment and criminal justice. The nearly $4 billion budget makes modest increases in services while continuing conservative fiscal policies that have helped the county renew its historic Triple-A bond rating. "After seven painful years of cuts, this is our second year in a row that we have been able to balance the budget without service and spending reductions," said Executive Sims. "While the economy is strong today, the forecasts for 2008 and beyond are not good and we must be cautious. It's our responsibility to protect our financial position as we face a future with high energy prices and cuts in federal and state funding for public health." Criminal justice costs have grown to 71 percent of the proposed $625 million Current Expense (CX) Fund and includes new technology and staff for the Sheriff. The $1.09 billion Capital Improvement Program includes $694 million for sewage treatment construction necessary to protect water quality – twice the budget of last year and part of the region's most ambitious clean water capital program in more than 40 years. Sims proposes strategic investments in technology, clean water and people's health that will help preserve people's quality of life now and in the future. The county is investing in the basics while also using innovation, partnerships and new approaches to prepare for the future, including an expected population increase of about 280,000 people in the next 20 years. "We are in a new century and face new challenges such as global warming and a predicted flu pandemic," said Sims. "We are using innovations to turn waste into resources and adding new technology to help police and emergency responders do their jobs more easily. "We recognize that many of our modern infrastructure needs are different than when this government was formed and consider preservation of open space and adding trails vital ‘green infrastructure,'" Sims said "We now know that people's health correlates to walkable communities and access to parks, trails and recreation. In addition, open space helps reduce pollution and protects water supplies." Proposed investments outlined in Sims' 2007 budget include nearly $20 million to protect more than 1,200 acres of open space, including riverfront lands along the Cedar, Green and Tolt rivers, and expands and improves 16 miles of King County's nationally acclaimed trail system. It also provides for much-needed improvements to parks, pools and other amenities. Sims urged the council to renew the Annexation Initiative and to maintain the $10 million annexation reserve. It is expected that as many as 57,000 residents of urban unincorporated King County will be annexed into local cities as part of the county's Annexation Initiative to control cost of services. Sims said in the coming weeks he will send four interlocal agreements to council for the annexation of five of the ten major urban unincorporated areas within the cities of Renton, Auburn and Federal Way. The Executive has made stable state funding for public health his 2007 legislative priority as the county continues to fill the gap between need and stagnant state funding. King County's CX spending on public health has increased 80 percent in the last four years since the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was repealed. The proposed $27.5 million in 2007 CX funds for health includes $2.4 million to keep the doors open at all public health clinics at least through the first six months of the year. The department had recommended closing two clinics and a dental facility in the Northgate and Northshore areas in order to balance its budget. The 2007 budget invests $36.6 million in technology projects across 15 agencies to improve accountability, customer services, efficiency and risk management. Examples of projects include technology that allows phone, video and computer communication even during a disaster when power, cell signals, phones and broadcast services are disrupted. And, King County Sheriff's deputies will soon have wireless Web service for instant access to criminal histories from the FBI, the Washington State Patrol and Washington courts. "People expect their government to provide the basics while planning for the future and this budget delivers on that expectation," said Executive Sims. "Like any homeowner who makes sure the roof doesn't leak, the plumbing is sound and the heater works, this budget invests in our quality of life that includes clean water, sound bridges, and modern technology." The Transportation Department budget proposes accelerating a bridge safety program with $1.5 million for the $16 million project to replace 57 aging short span bridges beginning in 2007. High priority bridges will be re-constructed within 10 years, rather than 20. Other budget priorities include: A capital plan to bring $48 million to repair Vashon Island's aging seawalls to protect the highways. $1.3 million to fund the most urgently needed reforms recommended by the Sheriff's blue ribbon panel including: 10 new sergeants to address span-of-control issues identified by the panel, eight other new positions to create an inspectional services unit, an employee early intervention system and the creation of a new office of oversight. $45 million for homeless housing and supportive services including $18.2 million in capital funds for housing. Related information Executive Sims budget speech Watch the Executive address and press conference (Real Media format) Details from the budget office Sims' 2007 budget to propose major investments in green infrastructure Sims keep s Sheriff's Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations in 2007 budget Investing in the "infrastructure of our future"
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	Updated: Oct. 17, 2006

Sims invests in bricks and mortar of government in 2007 budget

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