The King County Council has approved a one-year moratorium on new or expanded detention facilities in unincorporated King County, prioritizing community well-being and public health over detention infrastructure.
Rhonda Lewis was unanimously appointed by the King County Council to represent District 2 in an interim capacity, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the Council and marking the first time in the Council’s history that women comprise a majority of its members.
King County Council has adopted a $20.16 billion budget for the 2026-2027 biennium, prioritizing public safety, housing stability, food security, and increased accountability in government operations, while also preparing for anticipated challenges such as cuts to federal housing and health funding.
King County is moving forward with plans to open a second regional Crisis Care Center in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, following a letter of conditional support from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and a proposal submitted by King County Executive Shannon Braddock to the County Council.
The King County Sheriff’s Office has restored minimum deputy staffing levels in unincorporated King County, thanks to $845,000 in supplemental funding approved by the King County Council.
The King County Council is considering a proposal to implement a 0.1% sales tax to generate revenue to close a projected $160 million shortfall in the county’s General Fund for 2025-2026, which could help avoid deep cuts to public safety services.
King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay has introduced a motion to oppose proposed federal Medicaid cuts that could strip healthcare from thousands and destabilize hospital systems, and has convened an expert panel to examine the local consequences.
King County is investing $25.9 million to stabilize and strengthen its human services workforce, with the goal of ensuring residents have access to vital services such as housing assistance, financial stability programs, and behavioral health support.
