King County Council continues to wrestle with funding for criminal justice

Four Republican members of the Metropolitan King County Council voted against the sales tax revision, and the reprioritization of property taxes the council has been considering in an effort to adequeately fund the criminal justice system.

On Monday morning, Council Chair Bob Ferguson announced a special meeting for Tuesday morning to consider a plan to raise property taxes and partially offset them with some cuts. The total cost to the average homeowner would be $34 per year.

Councilmembers Reagan Dunn, Kathy Lambert, Pete von Reichbauer, and Council Vice Chair Jane Hague will offer an alternative plan at the special meeting that would provide necessary funding to the courts, prosecutor, and sheriff, without raising additional taxes during a recession.