RPC approves sending proposed APHIS levy to April 22, 2025 special election; levy would fund regional fingerprint-identification system
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The Regional Policy Committee approved a proposed substitute ordinance to place a seven-year reauthorization of the APHIS (Automated Fingerprint and Identification System) levy on the April 22, 2025 special election ballot during its Jan. 8 meeting.
Sam Porter of council staff and Erica Newman summarized the levy proposal. The levy would begin at a rate of 2.75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in its first year. For a home with an assessed value of $875,000, the estimated impact is $24.06 in 2026. The levy is projected to generate approximately $25.3 million in the first year and about $188.8 million over the seven-year levy period (2026–2032). Subsequent annual rate adjustments would follow the statutory limit factor (the briefing referenced RCW 84.55 levy-limit adjustment rules).
The APHIS program is the regional fingerprint-identification service managed by the King County Sheriff's Office and supports local law enforcement agencies and Seattle Police Department operations. The program provides live-scan capture stations, mobile fingerprint devices, latent-print analysis and forensic services; staffing for APHIS operations includes positions in both the sheriff's office and Seattle Police Department and covers ID and forensic operations as described in the packet.
The proposed ordinance is status quo in scope: it funds operations, equipment and replacement of near-end-of-life technology and does not add new programs. Fiscal analysis in the packet estimated the cost to operate through the levy period at about $194.0 million, producing a seven-year net negative of approximately $5.0 million that would be covered by the existing undesignated fund balance (about $10.0 million as of end-2025 projection). The ordinance also allows levy revenue to pay election costs attributable to APHIS levy elections (a technical amendment adopted in BFM clarified applicability to APHIS levy elections generally).
The clerk called the roll on the proposed substitute ordinance as amended by the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee; the committee recorded the vote as 12 ayes, no nos and no excused votes. The committee's action was a "do pass" recommendation; the item is scheduled for full council action on Jan. 21 and will not be placed on the consent calendar.
Staff noted election cost estimates: placing the measure on the April special election could cost up to about $4.5 million, whereas placing measures on an August or November ballot would reduce the county's direct cost because election charges could be split among jurisdictions with other measures on those ballots.
Sam Porter of council staff and Erica Newman summarized the levy proposal. The levy would begin at a rate of 2.75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in its first year. For a home with an assessed value of $875,000, the estimated impact is $24.06 in 2026. The levy is projected to generate approximately $25.3 million in the first year and about $188.8 million over the seven-year levy period (2026–2032). Subsequent annual rate adjustments would follow the statutory limit factor (the briefing referenced RCW 84.55 levy-limit adjustment rules).
The APHIS program is the regional fingerprint-identification service managed by the King County Sheriff's Office and supports local law enforcement agencies and Seattle Police Department operations. The program provides live-scan capture stations, mobile fingerprint devices, latent-print analysis and forensic services; staffing for APHIS operations includes positions in both the sheriff's office and Seattle Police Department and covers ID and forensic operations as described in the packet.
The proposed ordinance is status quo in scope: it funds operations, equipment and replacement of near-end-of-life technology and does not add new programs. Fiscal analysis in the packet estimated the cost to operate through the levy period at about $194.0 million, producing a seven-year net negative of approximately $5.0 million that would be covered by the existing undesignated fund balance (about $10.0 million as of end-2025 projection). The ordinance also allows levy revenue to pay election costs attributable to APHIS levy elections (a technical amendment adopted in BFM clarified applicability to APHIS levy elections generally).
The clerk called the roll on the proposed substitute ordinance as amended by the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee; the committee recorded the vote as 12 ayes, no nos and no excused votes. The committee's action was a "do pass" recommendation; the item is scheduled for full council action on Jan. 21 and will not be placed on the consent calendar.
Staff noted election cost estimates: placing the measure on the April special election could cost up to about $4.5 million, whereas placing measures on an August or November ballot would reduce the county's direct cost because election charges could be split among jurisdictions with other measures on those ballots.
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