The King County Council has passed a 2009 budget that restores 19 sheriff's deputies, keeps the White Center storefront office open and retains critical public health programs.

Faced with an unprecedented $93.4 million general fund shortfall and proposed cuts to a host of programs, the council approved a total $4.9 billion budget with a general fund of $627.8 million.

"The Council was able to restore funding for the Sheriff's storefront offices, reinstate necessary court services, and rescue critical public health programs," said Council member Dow Constantine. "But all our good efforts cannot solve the underlying structural problems. We must get the help of the state Legislature to ensure that state-mandated services, such as public health and safety, are protected into the future."

The Council made more than $10 million in reductions to funds for future maintenance needs, some technology projects, and lower-priority programs.

Besides keeping 19 positions and keep open storefront offices, the budget allows continuation of the Sheriff's participation in regional drug, firearm, and gang task forces. The approved budget also restores money for major accident detectives who also support major crime scene investigations such as homicides, ChildFind detectives, K-9 services and other important specialized positions. The budget also maintains security at court facilities.

The budget also restores full-year funding for the Superior Court's successful Drug Diversion Court and Unified Family Court Services.

In drafting the final budget, the Council accepted Executive Ron Sims' proposal to create a funding "lifeboat" containing programs that are funded for the first six months of 2009. This will give the Council and the executive the opportunity to seek efficiencies in current programs, while working with the state Legislature to create new revenue sources to continue adequate funding through 2009 and beyond.

The Council's budget provides full-year funding for all public health centers, funds all family planning services for the first nine months of 2009, and funds some public health services for the first six months of 2009, while the County works with the Legislature to develop revenues totaling $4.5 million to fund these programs for the remainder of 2009. If no support is found, these services could be reduced or entirely eliminated on July 1, 2009.

The Council's budget provides funding for the annual King County Fair and the 4-H program, while restoring staffing and funding in the Water and Land Resources Division to maintain operation of the County's agriculture, forestry, basin and rural stewardship, and current use programs.

This budget keeps bus service on the streets to meet record demand from riders. It also ensures that the promised service increases in the voter-approved 2006 "Transit Now" ballot measure will be delivered, despite a dramatic plunge in the sales tax revenues that support Metro Transit.