King County Council member says homelessness and juvenile crime are rising as county faces $150M shortfall

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn told the Renton City Council on March 3 that homelessness has surged in the county and juvenile crime is increasing, even as the county faces an estimated $150 million general-fund shortfall for the next biennium and proposed cuts to law-enforcement and court budgets.

Dunn, who represents District 9 on the King County Council and chairs the King County board of supervisors for the Flood Control District, said his office—s recent survey of about 2,000 residents showed reducing crime and improving public safety as the top priority, and that homelessness and behavioral-health concerns figure highly on constituents— lists.

"We are just way, way off the charts" on increases in chronic homelessness and unsheltered individuals, Dunn said, adding that county strategies to date "aren—t working." He told the council the county lost about 1,339 people to overdose in the most recent year he cited, roughly "four people per day," and that substance-use programs and anti-stigma efforts are part of the county—s response.

Dunn said the executive—s proposed budget shows about $150 million in general-fund reductions and singled out proposed cuts such as $30 million to the sheriff—s office, $15 million to the prosecuting attorney and $15 million to Superior Court as "pretty big cuts." He warned of tense negotiations between the executive and council as the county finalizes the biennial budget.

On public safety, Dunn noted adult violent crime has shown signs of decline from pandemic-era spikes but juvenile filings and juvenile crimes are rising sharply. "Juvenile criminal system is having very serious challenges," he said, citing large percentage increases in juvenile offenses and firearm-involved incidents.

Dunn also described staffing shortages at the King County Sheriff—s Office, saying countywide vacancies peaked higher and remain a concern. He said the county is exploring recruitment incentives, noting a $50,000 hiring bonus in Seattle for comparison and that some recent policies and mandates reduced the pool of available deputies in prior years.

On courts, Dunn said unlawful-detainer backlogs grew during the pandemic and the county has added judges, issued emergency rules and sought state law changes to reduce the caseload. He said homicide and murder case backlogs remain a problem in Superior Court.

Dunn outlined several ballot measures and levies to watch this year, including a parks levy that as proposed would carry a 24% tax increase and an EMS levy renewal expected on the November ballot. He also flagged a county minimum-wage ordinance that now applies to unincorporated areas.

Council members pressed Dunn about local impacts. Council President Alverson asked whether policies in other jurisdictions offered lessons for falling homelessness numbers; Dunn said he has toured places with declining counts and believes governance and program differences matter while offering his own views on "housing first" and congregate shelter tradeoffs. Representative Steve Bergquist and other officials in the audience joined some budget and public-safety remarks during the question period.

Dunn closed by urging Renton officials and residents to stay engaged with county budget discussions and to monitor how cuts or revenue measures will affect contract services and programs that serve Renton.

Ending: Dunn said the council will not adopt the county—s final budget until November, giving cities and the council time to monitor changes in revenue forecasts and refine priorities. He offered to keep Renton updated as the council—s budget deliberations proceed.