From $20 mil to $0: King Co. axes all funding for needy

Facing a $60 million deficit next year, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Tuesday morning that his proposed budget would eliminate all general fund support for human services.

There wasn't a lot left to cut.

Having already trimmed tens of millions of dollars in operating expenses the last few years, the county was only spending $850,000 - $637,000 for domestic violence survivor services and $158,000 for sexual assault victim services, as well as about $54,000 in miscellaneous expenses. Just two years ago the county spent $20 million to help provide services for the area's poor and vulnerable.

Like Seattle and the state of Washington, King County's finances have been battered by falling tax revenues due to the Great Recession.

Last week Constantine proposed cutting $7.2 million - the equivalent of 71 positions - from the King County Sheriff's office in his 2011 budget.

Constantine's proposed cuts come weeks before voters will decide the fate of a 0.2 percent sales tax increase designed to raise tens of millions of dollars for public safety. If the sales tax is approved, the public safety cuts wouldn't have to be as severe.

The executive says if his proposal is enacted, it would amount to nearly a 10 percent reduction to the sheriff's budget and 28 deputies would be laid off.

Ultimately next year's budget must be approved by the County Council. Constantine will make his entire budget known Sept. 27.

In July, Constantine asked about 10,000 county workers to give up 2 percent cost-of-living raises - known as COLAs - for 2011. Constantine said he was freezing the salaries of 155 staff in his administration - including his own.

Last month the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, which represents everyone from court clerks to custodians, said its 500 county members agreed to the proposal. The county will save about $600,000.

On Tuesday, human services advocates bemoanded the proposed cuts.

"We all need the county to stand up and protect our vulnerable communities, especially now when people throughout the county need help more than ever," Patricia Hayden, a member of the King County Alliance for Human Services and a senior director of Seattle-King County YWCA. "The county may not have a legal mandate to fund these core services, but it would be irresponsible if they didn't; they have a historic role and a moral mandate. Our elected leaders must step up and take responsibility to find a solution."