King County regional panel approves amended parks levy plan, sends measure to full council

Councilmember Joe von Reichbauer, chair of the King County Regional Policy Committee, presided as the committee on Tuesday approved an amended funding allocation and a companion ordinance to place a six‑year King County parks levy on the Aug. 5, 2025 ballot and forwarded both items to the full County Council.

The committee approved Proposed Motion 2025‑0077.2 (as amended) and Proposed Ordinance 2025‑0070.2 by recorded votes. The amended plan lowers the initial levy rate and adjusts allocations for capital, grants and operations while keeping the levy on the Aug. 5 ballot for voter consideration.

Why it matters: The parks levy funds a large share of the county parks budget and supports maintenance and capital work across unincorporated King County and cities, plus pass‑through funding to cities, park districts and cultural venues. Committee members described the changes as an effort to balance affordability for property owners while preserving targeted equity grants, acquisition and trail investments.

John Taylor, a county staff member supporting the parks proposal, told the committee the levy “provides the lion’s share of funding for the King County Parks Department” and supports maintenance of roughly 32,000…