King County Executive Shannon Braddock has proposed a biennial budget for 2026-2027 totaling $19.7 billion, aimed at preventing significant cuts to critical services while enhancing investments in public safety, housing, homelessness response, and behavioral health. The budget addresses a $175 million general fund shortfall and utilizes a new criminal justice sales tax to safeguard services in the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, and public health sectors.
Key elements include:
- $175 million for public safety staff
- Nearly $30 million for improving the justice system
- $5 million to maintain the SoDo shelter
- $4 million earmarked to increase food security
- $31 million allocated to protect healthcare against potential federal funding cuts
The budget also proposes restoring over 400,000 hours of bus service and enhancing various transit options. Emphasizing accountability, $10 million is designated for financial management improvements and nearly $3 million for developing an artificial intelligence policy. Executive Braddock’s budget aims to create a sustainable and effective framework for King County, with final approval expected in November after public review.
