The Metropolitan King County Council today called for the creation of a commission to look into the current structure of King County.
 

King County is currently facing a $52 million deficit for 2003 and a shortfall of $110 million through 2005. Potential cuts to the county’s current expense budget will have an impact on all three branches of county government.

Councilmember Patterson, Council Chair Cynthia Sullivan and Councilmember Kathy Lambert were joined by County Executive Ron Sims, King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng, and Judge Richard D. Eadie, Presiding Judge, King County Superior Court in announcing the ordinance that will be sent to the Council’s Committee-of-the-Whole establishing the commission.
 

“In 1968, King County residents had the courage to say their current system of governance wasn’t working and that it was time to make a change,” said County Executive Ron Sims. “Thirty-four years later, we are facing a similar crossroads. Much like the freeholders who crafted the original charter, we are asking the members of this commission on governance to work on potential changes to meet the challenges of this generation.”

The purpose of the commission is to study and assess the current structure of King County Government and make recommendations to the executive and the council on:

• Examining current expense (general fund) expenditures.
• Changing the county’s revenue structure—if there is a need to make changes to the current expense fund revenue structure.
• Deciding if there should be a dedicated revenue source for the criminal justice system, including funding for human services programs that reduce recidivism.
• Modifying or repealing existing employment policies.
• Determining if elected county officials should be partisan or non-partisan.
• Determining if county officials should be elected or appointed.
• Potentially changing the size and structure of King County government, including all elective county offices.
• Potentially changing the size and structure of the King County Council, including the number of councilmembers, staffing and salaries.

"This commission will help us restructure all the operations of county government. It is similar to when we reduced the need for additional facilities and lowered costs by creating and implementing the criminal Juvenile Justice Operational Master Plan," said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. "Just as then, a thorough examination of the system is the first step, and everyone and everything will go under the microscope." 

“As one who has served King County for more than 30 years, I am excited about the potential for the Governance Commission to be the catalyst for long-term change,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng. “The commission is structured to allow a full and frank discussion of the issues by citizens who do not work for the county, but are motivated by an interest in good government.”

A selection committee will decide by unanimous vote who the nine commission members will be. The selection committee will be comprised of the executive, the chair of the council, the prosecuting attorney and the presiding judge of the superior court. Commission members will then be appointed by the executive and subject to confirmation by the council. Commission members will decide for themselves what the structure of the commission will be and how it will operate. No elected official or individual running for office can be a member of the commission. The commission will issue a final report and present its recommendations to the council by July 1, 2003.

“Because funding sources that have supported countywide services no longer are available, we absolutely must look for new, creative options,” said Presiding King County Superior Court Judge Richard D. Eadie. “I can't think of anything more important at this time than to have a knowledgeable group of citizens do a critical review and make recommendations for further streamlining of our government.”

“Since this commission will be dealing with some very difficult and challenging issues, we want it to be as independent, as open, and as apolitical as possible,” said Patterson. “We know there are no easy solutions to the budget crisis, but this commission can be a strong first step in coming up with the answers to help us restructure the system so it can continue to meet the needs of the people of King County.”