Criminal justice budget for 1999 reflects major increase; final proposal under property tax limitation for second year in a row

Due to the continuing pressure on law, safety and justice services in King County, Executive Ron Sims said today that a major challenge in shaping the 1999 current expense budget has been to support the criminal justice system while also developing a long range plan to focus resources on equally crucial quality of life related County services. Despite the major new investments in the criminal justice system, the current expense property tax levy will again this year come in under the 106 percent lid established under state law, said Sims. It is only the second time in recent King County history that this has been accomplished. Sims noted that in the 1998 and 1999 budget process, his administration led the way, listened to public concerns about tax increases, and responded both to the needs of taxpayers and to the requirements of citizens for responsive justice services. "The dramatic increases in justice services, particularly those associated with detaining offenders, recently led me to form a Swift and Certain Justice Task Force," said Sims. During the coming year, the task force, a cooperative venture led by Sims, King County detention facilities and courts, law enforcement, the City of Seattle and suburban cities, will lay out a blueprint for efficient use of criminal justice resources.

Executive Sims speaks to reporters on increased demands on the criminal justice budget. "I am not willing to jeopardize the public safety of the citizens of King County." King County Executive Ron Sims RELATED LINKS: Executive's Proposed 1999 Budget web site Sims calls for criminal justice "business" review; submits supplemental jail request

"Efficiencies will ensure critical services in law, safety and justice are funded, while ensuring sufficient resources for equally critical housing, human services and recreational programs to support this region's quality of life," Sims said.

"I am not willing to jeopardize the public safety of the citizens of King County," added Sims.

Under Sims' proposed current expense budget, he will make the following law, safety and justice recommendations in his Oct. 12 budget transmittal to the King County Council:

King County Sheriff: This office has the second largest current expense appropriation with 820 full time equivalent staff (FTEs) and a 1998 budget of just over $68 million. An additional 50 FTEs and $5.6 million is requested for 1999. This includes additional police security at the King County International Airport, on Metro Transit buses and at the County's veterans' services office. It also increases traffic enforcement in the unincorporated areas, boosts enforcement of court ordered child support and improves crime analysis and response to 9-1-1 calls. The Sheriff has proposed partial funding of these high priority enhancements with cuts to existing services. Proposed additions include:
• $387,000 to enforce court ordered child support payment orders
• $916,000 to enhance crime analysis and response to 9-1-1 calls
• $2,150,000 for policing King County airport, the Metro bus system, and providing security for the Veterans' services office
• $600,000 to improve traffic enforcement.

In addition, cities that contract for services plan to add seven officers and services that will generate contract income of $673,000. Currently, contract services account for approximately 27 percent of the Sheriff's budget.

Adult Detention:This agency, now the largest Current Expense agency, provides detention as well as alternatives to detention such as work release, drug and alcohol treatment and other programs. Adult Detention houses all persons booked for felonies in King County, as well as misdemeanor inmates from unincorporated areas and contract cities. It also houses felony inmates sentenced to a year or less and all inmates from unincorporated areas and contract cities convicted of misdemeanor offenses. During 1998, inmate populations increased significantly beyond 1998 budget projections, and are projected to reach 60,000 bookings and more than one million prisoner days. This increase prompted the County to boost funding for staffing and facilities by $11 million.

Sims is proposing additional population management investments of $3 million in 1999, which would be partially offset by targeted and technical reductions of approximately $1.1 million. In addition, the proposed budget includes the technical transfer of 210 FTEs from Criminal Justice Fund to Adult Detention's current expense budget.

District Court: District Court provides judicial services to the unincorporated areas and contracting cities, as well as handling violations of misdemeanor state statutes and civil cases. District Court's 1998 budget was for $16.5 million with 238 FTEs. Sims said a major budget initiative of his and the District Court is the proposed creation of a Mental Health Court that will provide specialized assessment, court and treatment services for mentally ill offenders. This pilot court is being proposed for funding at a level of $847,000 with three FTE to augment existing District Court resources that would be focused on this offender population. This initiative is being modeled after a highly successful mental health court in Broward County, Florida, Sims said. In all, District Court would receive an additional 19 FTEs and $1.4 million in funding if Sims' budget proposals are adopted.

Funding is also included to support District Court's efforts in implementing recommendations from the Misdemeanor Study. This study found that defendants who fail to appear for court are twice as likely to go to jail than are defendants who do appear. District Court will be participating in a multi-jurisdictional effort to pilot and test a variety of recommendations designed to reduce failure to appear incidents. This initiative is another way King County is looking to more effectively manage its criminal justice resources.

Prosecuting Attorney: The prosecuting attorney handles all felony crimes in King County, prosecution of misdemeanors in unincorporated areas, provides legal advice to the King County Executive and County Council, and represents King County in all civil litigation. Currently, this office has 432 FTEs with funding of $29.8 million. Sims is proposing to increase that staffing level by 14 FTE and $2.6 million to increase salaries, provide increased staffing to the Trial Team Prosecution, Domestic Violence, Sexual Predator, Employment, and Criminal Filing units, and provide legal staffing assistance to aid the County in its legal response to the proposed listing of Chinook salmon as a threatened or endangered species.

Youth Services: Assessment, probation, detention, treatment and support of juvenile offenders is accomplished currently with a Department of Youth Services staff of 277 FTEs and a budget of $18.4 million. Proposals for 1999 include increasing the Court Services Unit by almost $500,000 and 10 FTEs to handle Legislative changes which increase the average length of time on community supervision by 30 percent. In addition, due to the opening of a juvenile hearings courtroom in the Regional Justice Center, three Juvenile Supervision Officers are proposed to be added for courtroom security and transportation of youth, and one Continuum of Care Placement Specialist will provide classification and placement services for youth requiring detention in secure placement or alternatives. Finally, similar to a District Court initiative to reduce the incidence of Failure to Appear, the Executive is proposing to add a position to implement warrant reduction strategies. Overall, Sims is proposing an increase for Youth Services of $1 million and 11.5 FTEs.

Superior Court: Providing judicial services for all violations of state felony statutes and civil litigation, the Superior Court in 1998 has 266 FTEs and a budget of $19.5 million. Technical and revenue backed increases of 5.5 FTEs and $865,000 are proposed for 1999. The Court's largest initiative is to invest in staff resources and to enhance its management structure. In addition, Sims is proposing to add a position to provide information and assistance to citizens entering the Courthouse at the Fourth Avenue entrance.

Updated: September 29, 1998