King County Councilman Dow Constantine, D-West Seattle, praised the county's 2007 budget for "spending less" and "saving more" following its unanimous adoption by the council in late November.

The $3.86 billion total budget is $24 million less than proposed. It includes $624 million in the general fund-a reduction of $3.2 million in proposed operating expenses-and increases reserves by $3.6 million.

"Citizens expect fiscal integrity and accountability in the use of their tax dollars," said Constantine, who represents part of the Highline area and chaired the Annual Budget Committee.

"This budget meets that demand by spending less, saving more, and sticking to established priorities. It cuts some major expenditures proposed by the executive and places those dollars in reserve. This keeps the pressure on to lower costs while ensuring money is available to meet our goals."

One of the winners in the county appropriations process was the Highline Historical Society, which received $450,000 for a new museum that will be built in Burien.

In addition to $200,000 written into the budget for this capital project, Constantine designated $125,000 to the Highline Historical Society and Councilwoman Julia Patterson, D-SeaTac, designated another $125,000.

"This is a very nice start to a capital campaign," Cindy Upthegrove, director of the Highline Historical Society museum, e-mailed her board of directors after receiving the news.

Two of Patterson's budget priorities were public health and improved Metro bus service in south King County.

"One of the fundamental roles for public health is to ensure that high quality health care is accessible to all people, especially low-income and vulnerable populations," said Patterson.

"We are prioritizing the core functions of the Public Health Department so we do not continue to face the staggering cuts and funding crises we have experienced in recent years."

"The County's 'Priorities for People' call for protecting public health by promoting conditions for optimal physical and mental health," Constantine added.

If bus ridership is to increase, "we must keep up our efforts to make our service as convenient and comfortable as possible," Patterson continued.

"Too many people today are forced to stand out in the rain and wait for a bus, particularly in the suburban areas of King County. My constituents and fellow bus riders on the route 194 from SeaTac to downtown Seattle want a reliable, frequent and dry bus ride into work."

Adding bus shelters to routes in south King County is among the proposals to improve transit ridership next year.

Included in the new spending plan are an Office of Capital Project Oversight, a Financial Policies Advisory Task Force, an Office of Economic and Financial Analysis, and an Office of Law Enforcement Oversight together with implementation Sheriff's Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations, including an Inspectional Services Unit, an Early Intervention System in the Sheriff's office and the addition of sergeants for increased supervision.

Elections oversight will continue with the countywide transition to vote-by-mail.