(The Center Square) – The King County Auditor’s Office made a $900 million error in its recent report on the Department of Community and Human Services’ major fiscal oversight issues.
Initial audit findings revealed that the King County Department of Community and Human Services, or DCHS, distributed more than $1.5 billion in 2023 and 2024 combined – a 6,700% increase from $22 million in 2019 and 2020 combined.
That was incorrect.
In a letter sent to the King County Council, Auditor Kymber Waltmunson said DCHS awarded $922 million in grant funding in 2019 and 2020, $900 million more than initially reported.
The numerous instances flagged by the audit in which improper payments, including potential fraud, were made across multiple DCHS contracts were made after a 95% increase in distributed grant funding. Far less than 6,700%, but still a large increase in responsibility for a department struggling to hire and retain employees.
The change came after former DCHS Director Amnon Shoenfeld reached out to the Auditor’s Office with questions. According to Waltmunson’s letter, the exchange led to the realization that the online county data set used to quantify the growth and volume of DCHS grants between 2019 and 2025 was incomplete.
“The data was not comprehensive because, as a point-in-time snapshot of active contracts, it excluded grants that had expired prior to the date that the data was pulled in April 2025,” the letter reads.
Earlier this week, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci called for a quick response from the county to address major fiscal oversight issues within the Department of Community and Human Services. This includes a special Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 15 that will focus on a proposed ordinance from fellow Councilmember Reagan Dunn.
At this meeting, Balducci plans to have experts and human service providers speak to their needs to ensure the council implements proper reforms to DCHS’ contract payment model.
When asked about the now-incorrect 6,700% increase, Balducci said increases to the county’s tax levies and federal dollars coming to the county after 2019 fueled the jump in funding DCHS was tasked to distribute.
In a statement shared with The Center Square, King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s Office stated that it appreciates the auditor making needed corrections and will continue to focus on improving the processes and internal controls.
“We are working to hire outside experts to ensure stronger oversight, accountability, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Braddock’s office wrote.
