(The Center Square) – King County Executive Shannon Braddock’s 2026-27 budget proposal avoids employee layoffs thanks to new tax revenue, but concerns about federal funding remain.
Braddock’s proposal totals $19.7 billion, including a general fund totaling $2.73 billion in appropriations. That is 2.19% more than the projected $2.67 billion in general fund revenue the budget proposal anticipates over the next two years.
When Braddock was first sworn in as county executive, she established a 200-day plan to drive her administration through a $175 million general fund deficit and into 2026 when either King County Councilmembers Girmay Zahilay or Claudia Balducci are elected in the November general election.
Braddock succeeded Dow Constantine as the head of King County in April. This transition was due to Constantine’s resignation to become the CEO of Sound Transit.
Braddock attributed the prevention of department cuts to a voter-approved 10-cent per $1,000 tax levy that will solely fund King County’s publicly owned hospital and a recently approved sales tax increase to fund public safety needs.
“When I stepped into this role, I was prepared to lead through the worst budget in King County history,” Braddock said in her budget proposal announcement. “But, thanks to the leadership of both the state Legislature and this [King County Council] we have approved new revenue and prevented these cuts.”
With new revenue expected from the sales tax increase, Braddock’s budget proposal prevents a likely $30 million cut to the county sheriff’s office, representing 80 deputies in unincorporated parts of the county. The budget also prevents $15 million in cuts to the county prosecutor’s office, keeping dozens of attorneys and staff employed and $35 million in cuts to the county’s public health department and the department of community and human services.
Braddock is proposing nearly $30 million in new funding to improve the King County justice system with the remaining sales tax revenue, including providing resources for gun violence victims and ensuring the department of public defense can respond to new caseload standards.
The 2026-27 budget proposal mentions risks to federal funding, including reductions in Medicaid, housing, and other human services funds. According to the budget, the loss of federal funding will have immediate effects on the clinics run by Public Health and the behavioral health programs run by the King County Department of Community and Human Services
Braddock said the uncertainty in federal funding remains “alarming.” In the meantime, King County is participating in multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration on these issues, often with other state and local governments and affected non-profit organizations.
“King County’s willingness to challenge the federal administration’s illegal actions has stopped harmful federal rules from being implemented, and spared our communities from their impact,” Braddock said.
The executive added that the direct effect of one lawsuit led by King County has ensured that it has received nearly $170 million in federal funding that was previously granted.
The King County Council will begin deliberations on the proposed biennium budget with final approval anticipated in November.
