Education, emergency preparedness and economic development in South King County will benefit from an amendment to the 2006 King County budget.
King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson, D-SeaTac, recently said this is the impact the budget revision will have locally. It was adopted by the full council on July 24.
Patterson said funding for the Highline Schools Foundation, South King County Food Bank Coalition, Des Moines Basin Restoration Plan and South King County Chambers of Commerce were part of the quarterly omnibus budget ordinance.
Highline Schools Foundation will use King County funding to purchase multicultural books in all 33 Highline Public Schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Learning to read is the highest priority at Highline Public Schools and is the foundation skill for student achievement, said Highline Schools Foundation Executive Director Kathy McCabe.
"Multicultural books in the libraries of all Highline Public Schools will bridge this gap and foster a sense of inclusion, as well as improve young people's performance in school," said McCabe.
The South King County Food Bank Coalition, comprised of 15 food banks all over South King County, has received a King County grant to help fund a hazards and needs assessment with regard to disaster preparedness.
"The King County funds allow us to strengthen the safety net for those in need in our community," said Kris Van Gasken, president of the South King County Food Bank Coalition.
The South King County Chambers of Commerce will also receive funding for their third Economic Engine Study of the business environment in South King County and for implementation of the Des Moines Basin restoration plan.
The 2006 King County budget was approved in November 2005 by the King County Council.
The council approves changes to the annual adopted budget on a quarterly basis. The legislation, called an omnibus ordinance, can include supplemental appropriations, technical corrections, and expenditure authority carried over from the previous year's budget.
