Council Approves Perry, Dunn Request for $845K to Restore Sheriff Staffing in Unincorporated King County

July 15, 2025

On Tuesday, July 15, the King County Council approved a supplemental budget including $845,000 in added funding proposed by Councilmembers Sarah Perry and Reagan Dunn for the King County Sheriff’s Office to return sheriff staffing in unincorporated King County to normal staffing levels.

Councilmember Perry championed the work to include this funding in the supplemental budget.

“I’ve been fighting for a solution to this staffing reduction since it was announced,” said Councilmember Perry. “Thank you to the Sheriff’s Office for your collaboration and for recognizing how important restoring this staffing is to the health and safety of our unincorporated communities.”

In March, the Sheriff’s Office announced its intention to reduce minimum staffing levels in its North and Southeast precincts due to budget constraints. This staffing reduction meant that fewer officers would be available to respond to emergencies in unincorporated communities, increasing response times.

“Public safety and knowing a sheriff’s deputy will respond in times of need continues to be one of the top two highest priorities for residents in my district year after year,” said Councilmember Perry. “We need to set the Sheriff’s Office up for success, so that when unforeseen costs arise, they aren’t resolved at the expense of residents of unincorporated King County.”

The decision to reduce staffing levels was motivated, in part, by unanticipated overtime costs within the Sheriff’s Office.

Councilmember Dunn coordinated with Councilmember Perry to secure this funding for sheriff staffing. In addition, Councilmembers Perry and Dunn worked together on an amendment to increase transparency and accountability surrounding the use of Sheriff’s Office funding in unincorporated communities.

“This is a welcome fix to a problem that never should have existed in the first place,” said Councilmember Dunn. “Unincorporated communities should not have to fight just to preserve normal staffing levels at the Sheriff’s Office—nor should they bear the burden of budgeting failures beyond their control. I’m thankful my colleagues joined me in restoring the public safety resources our residents deserve.”

The amendment initiates the development of a work plan to determine an appropriate staffing model for the Sheriff’s Office that meets the needs of unincorporated residents and regional partners.