By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director

The King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) Board of Supervisors approved a second supplemental budget for 2026 during a Special Board meeting on April 28, advancing urgent flood recovery actions tied to the historic December 2025 flood event. The approved measure authorizes approximately $42.4 million for flood response costs, infrastructure repairs, property acquisitions, mitigation work, and other near-term actions needed before the start of the 2026–2027 flood season in October.

The December flood was described during the meeting as a generational flood, and the new flood of record. Board members emphasized the significance of the event and the urgency of completing critical repairs and recovery work before the next flood season begins.

Building on Emergency Actions Already Taken

At its first meeting of the year on February 10, the Board ratified actions taken during the flood fight and emergency response that followed the December flood. The April 28 action builds on that initial supplemental budget response by funding additional work necessary to repair damaged flood risk reduction infrastructure and strengthen the region’s readiness.

The speed with which staff moved during and following the flood was acknowledged, noting that King County staff inspected all 500 flood risk reduction facilities by January 13 and prioritized repairs to approximately 170 damaged facilities.

An important recognition was made, that despite the historic nature of the flood event, there was no loss of life because of the flooding. It was added that this outcome reflected, in part, the long-term investments made by the Board over the past 18 years to reduce flood risks to help protect people, property, and critical infrastructure.

What the Second Supplemental Budget Funds

Executive Director Michelle Clark explained that the striking amendment before the Board reflected the final iteration of the second supplemental budget proposal developed after review and discussion with Board members.

The approved second supplemental budget includes funding for:

• Funding for five PL84-99 projects, four of which (on the Green and Snoqualmie rivers) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have already agreed to help implement by October.
• Six immediate damage-repair projects on the White, Cedar, and Snoqualmie rivers.
• Mitigation reserves for emergency actions taken on the Cedar, Snoqualmie, White, and Green rivers.
• Increased acquisition funding for the Cedar and White rivers to support buyouts of flood-prone properties.

It was explained that some emergency work during the December flood required immediate action in the river system to stop urgent threats. The second supplemental budget includes funding to mitigate impacts from that emergency response work.

The acquisition funding is also an important part of the recovery strategy. It was noted that some property owners have come forward following the December event asking whether the KCFCD can purchase their flood-prone properties. The second supplemental budget increases acquisition capacity in the Cedar and White river basins to help respond to those requests from residents who are interested in selling their property to the KCFCD.

Board Members Raise Long-Term Financial Questions

While Board members expressed support for the emergency expenditures, several also used the discussion to raise broader questions about the KCFCD’s long-term financial outlook.

Several members noted that the agency’s projected expenditures exceed revenues and said the Board will need to consider options to keep the KCFCD on a sustainable financial path. Potential financial tools were referenced, including bonding to support the capital program, a reprioritization of the projects in the capital program, and reinstituting the use of the one percent property tax increase authority, which the KCFCD has not collected for several years. Members also suggested that the Board may want to establish a target for the KCFCD’s unspent cash balance, especially in light of the December flood and the need to maintain adequate resources for emergencies while continuing to deliver flood protection projects.

Executive Director Clark confirmed that staff will return to the Board with more information about the financial options discussed. She also noted that in the upcoming mid-year budget process, staff will identify project pauses or other budget adjustments along with suggestions to prioritize the KCFCD’s needs list so it reflects what can be realistically delivered with the available funding.

Looking Ahead

The April 28 action is one part of a larger flood recovery and budget process. Mid-year budget adjustments will take place by July, which may potentially address more flood recovery needs.

Additional damage to flood risk reduction facilities may also be identified during low-flow inspections this summer. Those needs are expected to be considered as part of the 2027 budget process this fall. The KCFCD, together with its service provider King County, will continue to evaluate repairs, recovery needs, financial planning, and project prioritization as it prepares for the next flood season.

Resolution Approved Unanimously

Following discussion, the Board first adopted the striking amendment, then voted on the underlying legislation. The final vote was unanimous, with nine supervisors voting in favor and none opposed. With that vote, the Board adopted Resolution FCD2026-08 as amended.

The action reflects the KCFCD’s continued commitment to protecting life and property, strengthening flood risk reduction infrastructure, and responding quickly to the impacts of the historic December 2025 flood.