Budget impacts - for King County Road Services employees

This site provides King County Road Services employees with information about current budget challenges and resources if your position is cut.

May 8,2012 - Update from the Interim Division Director

The challenges we face

The Road Services Division is facing serious financial challenges in the near and long term. A key element of this challenge is that the costs of maintaining the County road system, even in its current condition, exceed the available revenues.

Another part of this challenge is the transition the division must undergo to become a rural service provider, primarily as a result of projected annexations over the next five years. This transition is clearly outlined in the Strategic Plan for Road Services (SPRS). Highlights of the plan are summarized here. We are currently working with Executive and County Council staff to develop a SPRS implementation plan, as identified in Council-adopted motion 13393. (185KB.pdf)

The most urgent challenge is to address the current road fund deficit of nearly $11 million. This deficit is the result of unrealized property sales, lower-than-anticipated tax revenues, and unanticipated 2010 expenditures including December storm response. To meet this challenge, we will need to develop a service delivery plan and a staffing plan that reconciles the division's current financial situation with the long-term vision outlined in the SPRS.

The impacts

The reality of the current funding situation is that we will be doing "less with less" for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, we are diligently exploring all options to close the current fund deficit including identifying areas where efficiencies could be realized, reprioritizing work programs, and streamlining the division’s organizational structure.

Unfortunately, this will involve both one-time and ongoing budget reductions in 2011, including position reductions as early as the middle of this year. This will be followed by additional reductions in the 2012/2013 budget request later this fall, which will be guided by inter-branch work with the County Council on the SPRS implementation plan. (62KB .pdf)

Where do we go from here?

Road Services is looking at all options in order to reduce the number of employee layoffs. Employees will be kept apprised of the situation through regular communications, including meetings, emails and this website. In addition, many helpful resources for employees are included on this website.

This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone, particularly for those that will be losing their jobs. Your daily contributions, hard work, and continued professionalism are appreciated more than ever.