NEWS RELEASE
The King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved a 2021 District budget that continues to help prevent, and when necessary mitigate, the impact of floodwaters in King County without an increase in property taxes.
“I am pleased that we are able to fund critical flood risk reduction projects while holding the line on property taxes,” said Flood Control District Chair Dave Upthegrove. “We also are taking steps to improve our environmental footprint and create pathways for Black, Indigenous and people of color youth into district-related Green Jobs. I am proud of the work of this Board in bringing this budget across the finish line, especially as our flood season gets underway.”
The $140 million budget continues to fund efforts that streamline and expedite the District’s project planning process. With improved project delivery, the District works to ensure that vital flood risk reduction infrastructure is in place as quickly as possible.
Additionally, the 2021 King County Flood Control District budget:
- Is built on a levy rate that is unchanged from the 2020 rate, balancing the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic with the need to continue to invest in critical flood risk reduction facilities;
- Includes new and continued work on 22 projects that were a direct result of the February 2020 flood;
- Makes $97 million in capital investments to levees and flood protection infrastructure in the Snoqualmie, White, Sammamish, Cedar, and Green rivers;
- Funds $27.7 million in grant programs, such as the Subregional Opportunity Fund, Cooperative Watershed Management Plan, and Flood Risk Reduction Grants;
- Directs the use of organic compost material on all King County managed projects where applicable;
- Dedicates funding to develop workforce pathways that create career opportunities and living wage jobs for Black, Indigenous, and youth of color on District capital projects;
- Contributes to the Fall City Floodplain Restoration Project to help fund design on the flood risk reduction aspects of the multi-benefit project;
- Funds a report outlining potential options for comprehensive flood risk reduction facilities and strategies on Issaquah Creek; and
- Declares the District’s commitment to multi-benefit projects that protect local communities and the health of the environment.
Additional quotes:
FCD Vice Chair Reagan Dunn: “This year’s February flood event showed us the destruction that major flooding can cause for our residents and local businesses. I’m glad that with this budget, the Flood Control District is studying long-term flood control needs and investing in critical infrastructure and that will protect people and property that are most vulnerable to the impacts of flooding.”
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