The King County Council on Tuesday approved a nine‑year renewal of the one‑tenth‑of‑one‑percent sales tax dedicated to mental‑illness and drug‑dependency services, voting 9–0 to continue the MID levy that voters originally authorized for previous nine‑year cycles.

Supporters — including dozens of providers and service users who testified during public comment — said a longer renewal gives behavioral‑health providers the funding stability they need. "Continuity of care is essential to effective behavioral health care," said Chloe Gale of Evergreen Treatment Services during remote public comment, urging a nine‑year renewal so providers can plan multiyear programs.

Council debate focused on timing and transparency. Council Member Kathy Balducci said the nine‑year renewal passed to the council lacked a final spending plan and briefly moved an amendment to limit the levy to two years while staff and the executive finalize an implementation plan. "There is no spending plan with this levy. None," Balducci said during the council floor debate, then withdrew her amendment after discussion and consultation with committee chairs. Council members across the dais acknowledged the need to finalize an updated MID implementation plan and for the executive and Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) to brief the council on details during the budget cycle.

The council package included a transmittal ordinance and direction that the existing implementation plan remain in place until a revised plan is adopted; DCHS Director Kelly Bridal told the council the executive plans to send a new implementation plan in consultation with the new executive next year. The vote to adopt proposed substitute ordinance 2025‑0212 (the nine‑year renewal) was 9 ayes, 0 noes.

Public commenters and provider groups repeatedly urged the council to approve a long renewal. Testimony stressed that the levy supports crisis response, counseling, and programs that reduce jail bookings and emergency department visits for people with behavioral health needs. Council members said they plan further oversight and adjustments to the implementation plan in the coming year as federal and state funding landscapes evolve.