During a recent King County Board meeting, citizen Janine Mayer raised significant concerns regarding the county's budgetary increases since the election of the first Democratic chair in 2020. Mayer, a financial advisor with four decades of experience, highlighted that the King County general fund budget has surged from $65 million in 2020 to a projected $122 million in 2024, marking an 87% increase over four years. This growth far exceeds the typical annual increase of 2 to 6% seen in other jurisdictions.

Mayer pointed out that the substantial budget increases coincide with alarming rises in personnel costs, which have escalated from $41 million in salaries and wages in 2020 to $78.2 million in 2024. Contractual personnel costs also saw a significant jump from $10 million to $17.5 million during the same period. These financial trends raise concerns, especially given that King County's population has declined from 520,000 in 2012 to 515,000 in 2023, suggesting that the rising expenditures are not justified by population growth.

Mayer's remarks were echoed by Julianna Tilly, who read a letter from Mayer expressing alarm over a proposed 0.75% sales tax increase aimed at addressing a budget shortfall. The letter emphasized the need for accountability in how taxpayer funds are managed, urging board members to ensure fiscal responsibility in future budgeting decisions. The discussions reflect a growing concern among citizens regarding the sustainability of King County's financial practices and the impact on local taxpayers.