Drafter
Clerk 06/24/2010, 07/15/2010
Title
AN ORDINANCE directing the submission to the qualified voters of King County at a special election on November 2, 2010, a proposition authorizing an additional sales and use tax of two-tenths of one percent pursuant to RCW 82.14.450 for criminal justice, fire protection and other general governmental purposes, with proceeds split between the county (sixty percent) and cities (forty percent), subject to a requirement to appropriate certain unincorporated area property tax revenues for criminal justice purposes; limiting the use of county tax proceeds to criminal justice purposes; limiting collection to a maximum of three years; and appointing committees to write the voters' pamphlet statements for the special election on November 2, 2010.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. Public safety is one of the most fundamental purposes of government.
B. A strong system of criminal justice is necessary to maintain safe and livable communities.
C. Under Washington state law, counties provide many regional and local criminal justice functions, including police protection services and responding to emergencies.
D. In order to have the greatest possible impact in helping those most in need and the highest return on its investments, King County focuses on prevention and intervention efforts, job readiness and employment services, ending homelessness and providing services that reduce criminal justice involvement and costs.
E. The current funding for criminal justice is limited and insufficient to provide King County residents with the level of services that are needed to build and maintain safe and strong communities.
G. The county's projected 2011 and 2012 budget deficits threaten important criminal justice, and other essential government functions. The projected deficits will require that cuts be made to these essential services unless additional revenue is approved by the vote...
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