The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $431 million supplemental budget designed to enhance transparency, bolster public safety, and invest in the region’s social and economic infrastructure. The mid-biennial adjustment focuses heavily on stronger internal oversight of taxpayer dollars while providing critical funding for housing, food security, and the creative economy.

“I’m grateful for the unanimous vote approving the first supplemental budget for the 2026-2027 biennium," said Rod Dembowski, King County Council Budget Chair. "This budget makes significant investments in housing, human services, public safety, transit and enhanced oversight for county programs in light of recent audit findings”.

Expanding Accountability and Oversight

In response to recommendations from the King County Auditor, the budget allocates $1.75 million for increased internal oversight. This includes $600,000 to establish a new Division of Inspector General and a dedicated hotline for reporting suspected fraud, waste, and abuse. Additionally, $250,000 is earmarked for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to improve contract management and fiscal compliance.

To further protect democratic processes, the Council approved $500,000 for additional ballot dropboxes and enhanced security measures to safeguard the right to vote.

Protecting the Creative Economy

The Council also emphasized the importance of the region’s cultural infrastructure, specifically regarding the future of film production in King County.

“In coordination with today’s budget, we are making big progress to save Harbor Island Studios, a unique and vital part of our creative economy," said Council Member Claudia Balducci. "We are seeing good progress to extend the reprieve and keep Harbor Island Studios open while the county works with the film industry to figure out a sustainable future for this critical piece of cultural and economic infrastructure. I was prepared to fight for needed funding but am very pleased that the Executive’s team is working toward an agreement that will enable Harbor Island Studios to keep operating during the near future while we work toward a long-term solution.”

Community Health and Human Services

The supplemental budget addresses urgent social needs through several key investments:

• Homelessness & Housing: 1.4millionforimmediatehomelessnessneedsand∗∗10 million in contingency funds** to protect against potential federal funding reductions. Another $2 million is dedicated to supplemental rental assistance.
• Immigrant and Refugee Support: Over $2 million for legal, food, and rental assistance, fulfilling a commitment to strengthen protections for residents impacted by federal enforcement.
• Food Security: $620,000 for local food banks and security programs.
• Healthcare: $23 million to begin development on a new home for the Pioneer Square Clinic, which serves low-income residents.

Public Safety and Transit

Looking toward the future, the budget allocates $164 million for King County Metro to begin purchasing 115 hybrid electric buses scheduled for delivery by 2028-2029.

Public safety remains a priority, with $25 million designated for the Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Management to prepare for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches hosted in the region. This funding will support staffing and multilingual safety campaigns. Further public safety investments include $473,000 for the Survivors First domestic violence diversion program and $150,000 for investigating cold cases.

This approved supplemental budget is one of several periodic adjustments made during the biennial cycle to align county spending with updated revenue forecasts and emerging community needs.