The Metropolitan King County Council this week voted to explore a program that may increase county revenue from the sale of foreclosed housing.

“With the budget challenge facing King County, we need to explore every potential revenue option,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “We’re leaving no stone unturned in our search for budget solutions.”

The motion requests the county executive to evaluate the establishment of a program that could increase the revenue the county receives from the sale of forfeited property. One of the options to be explored would be the use of minor offender work crews to rehabilitate the property to enhance its value prior to its sale. A similar program in Hennepin County, Minnesota has generated additional revenue for county government.

“Because the program in Minnesota has had some success, we want to see if we can adapt this idea and use it in King County,” said Phillips. “This is a proposal that could actually benefit the county in several ways.”

Councilmember Jane Hague, who co-sponsored the motion, brought the program to the attention of the Council following discussions with associates at the National Association of Counties. “This is another example of the benefits that can be achieved by collaboration between counties at the national level,” said Hague. “Anytime a large urban county has implemented a cost saving and revenue generating program that makes sense, we are going to be taking a hard look at it for application here at home.”