Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine today sent his fifth COVID-19 supplemental budget to the King County Council. The $41.6 million measure includes funding for personal protective equipment, expanded drive-through and walk-up testing sites in south and east King County, and additional nurses for the homeless outreach team.

Story

The $41.6 million emergency supplemental budget provides funds for one-time investments to help the health and economic recovery of King County, as well as cope with the expected surge in COVID-19 during flu season.

Included in the budget is $16 million to purchase PPE for both immediate and ongoing distribution, and for an emergency stockpile.

Other highlights of the proposal now before the King County Council include:

    • $3 million to support testing including:
         o $1 million to expand high volume drive-through/walk-up testing sites that provide 500-1,000 tests/day in multiple locations in south and east King County. King County will also partner with community health centers to add medium volume (200-500 tests/day) testing sites to expand testing opportunities for currently underserved communities.
         o $1.4 million to support Harborview Medical Center’s mobile van testing program.
         o $550,000 to expand mobile testing capacity to respond immediately when there are outbreaks and surges. 

    • $1.9 million for the ongoing homeless response including:
         o $1.5 million for additional nurses for the homeless outreach team to provide weekly universal onsite COVID-19 testing, support outbreak investigations, provide ongoing environmental assessments to keep shelters open and safe, and support isolation and quarantine of residents who are exposed.
         o $400,000 to purchase additional supplies to distribute to community agencies supporting homeless clients.

    • $270,000 to develop and implement King County’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy. This includes funding for supplies to safely deliver the vaccine, when it is available.

    • $1.2 million to make necessary improvements for King County’s courts to resume full operations, including plexiglass in all District Court locations and technology system updates to support Superior Court operations.

Revenue sources include contributions from the federal CARES Act and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Executive Constantine previously submitted emergency supplemental budgets in March, May, June, and September, which were later passed by the King County Council.

“Even as the King County Council considers my two-year budget proposal, we continue our comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis. This supplemental budget increases our equipment and testing, and helps our most vulnerable residents stay safe. We also begin preparing for the safe and equitable distribution of a vaccine when it becomes available,” said Executive Constantine.

Quotes

Even as the King County Council considers my two-year budget proposal, we continue our comprehensive response to the COVID-19 crisis. This supplemental budget increases our equipment and testing, and helps our most vulnerable residents stay safe. We also begin preparing for the safe and equitable distribution of a vaccine when it becomes available.

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966