The King County Council is scheduled to vote this week on new legislation aimed at reforming the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) following a bombshell audit that uncovered widespread financial mismanagement, improper payments, and potential fraud. The vote will take place during a hybrid meeting on Tuesday, September 23, at 1:30 p.m.
The proposed reforms, introduced by Councilmember Reagan Dunn, come in direct response to the audit he called for in 2023. The investigation revealed what Dunn termed "a disaster," bringing intense scrutiny to the department. Key findings from the audit include:
• A massive budget explosion, with the DCHS contracting budget growing from $22 million in 2019 to over $1.8 billion for 2023–2024.
• Lax oversight, as nearly half of the organizations receiving county funds in 2024 were flagged as "high risk," yet monitoring was minimal.
• Evidence of improper payments, including altered invoices, falsified documentation, and payments to unauthorized subcontractors.
• Poor tracking of funds, such as the distribution of prepaid debit cards and stipends with little to no oversight.
The legislation seeks to prevent future misuse of public funds by requiring DCHS to establish stricter contract management and compliance monitoring. If passed, the department would need to perform regular risk assessments and conduct site visits to ensure grant funding is used as intended.
The push for accountability has been building for years. Former Councilmember Kathy Lambert stated she raised concerns about the department as early as 2020 but was ignored. She is now advocating for audits of all DCHS contracts, warning that the current findings may be "just the tip of the iceberg".
The council held a hearing last week featuring extensive discussion and questioning of DCHS Director Kelly Rider. The upcoming vote is seen as a critical step toward restoring public trust, particularly as King County proposes five new taxes this year. Critics argue that the county must demonstrate financial accountability before asking taxpayers for more money.
The King County Council meeting will be held in person at the King County Courthouse and streamed live on KCTV
