King County Executive Dow Constantine today praised the working collaboration with the Metropolitan King County Council that led to adoption of the 2012 King County Budget 1½ weeks ahead of schedule.

“This quickened decisive action on the budget is without precedent, and it’s made possible by the partnership we have created with the Council, our employees and our employee unions,” Constantine said. “Our practice of teamwork and respect is setting an example and building confidence across the region. As called for in our strategic plan, we are truly working together for One King County.”

Constantine thanked the Council for preserving all the key elements of the budget he proposed on Sept. 26 – a budget with no cuts to services in the general fund, and one that embraces his reform agenda of partnering with employees to create efficiencies that maintain the current level of services at three percent less cost.

In particular, Constantine praised the Council for its fiscal responsibility in supporting his proposal to add $2.7 million to the County’s rainy day funds, thereby raising the County’s general fund reserves above the 6 percent minimum and helping ensure the County retains its sterling AAA bond rating that saves ratepayers on the cost of borrowed money for major capital projects.

By tradition, the Council adopts the on the Monday before Thanksgiving, which this year falls on Nov. 21. Last year the Council adopted the budget one week early.