Fiscal integrity and accountability in the use of tax dollars are among the highest values for members of the King County Council, declared Councilmembers Oct. 9 as they unanimously adopted a motion establishing a set of 11 priorities to guide their deliberations over the next two months in review and adoption of the 2007 King County Budget:

PRIORITIES FOR PEOPLE
for the 2007 King County Budget

Citizens expect fiscal integrity and accountability in the use of their tax dollars. The Metropolitan King County Council meets that demand by setting priorities, funding programs consistent with those priorities, and measuring results.

EARNING PUBLIC TRUST
• Advance sound financial policies and prudently manage the public’s money
• Engage citizens in oversight of government services
• Strive for excellence in customer service
• Measure our performance and report back to the public

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE
• Improve mobility for people, vehicles and freight
• Take good care of the environment and manage growth wisely
• Create and encourage vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities

PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
• Invest in prevention to reduce crime and the cost of detention
• Promote conditions for optimal physical and mental health
• Sustain critical health and human service programs
• Prepare our community for natural disasters and public health emergencies

“Our primary responsibility is to maintain the financial integrity of county government. We do this by setting priorities, funding programs consistent with those priorities, and measuring the results,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the Council’s Annual Budget Reconciliation and Adoption Committee. “We have just five weeks to analyze and prepare this budget. This public discussion of policy priorities sets the stage for the tough budget choices we will have to make in the coming weeks.”

Joining Constantine on the Council's budget leadership team are Bob Ferguson, chair of the Captial Budget Panel; Jane Hague, chair of the Operating Budget Panel; and Kathy Lambert, Panel Vice-Chair.

King County Executive Ron Sims will deliver his annual budget address to the Council at the Council’s meeting on Monday, October 16. You can watch it live on King County Television, Comcast Cable 22, followed by a live news conference with members of the Council Budget Leadership team. By tradition, the Council adopts the County budget on the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system nd type in “2006-0460”

Stay on top of the Council’s 2007 Budget process by visiting:
www.metrokc.gov/council/budget/