You’ve probably heard the news. King County is facing a $93 million budget shortfall for 2009, close to 10 percent of its general fund. This is one of the worst deficits our county government has ever experienced.

Many of the most critical services provided by King County, such as health, human services and public safety, do not have dedicated funding sources, like a federal grant or a tax levy, to support them. Therefore, it is these regional services that will be most at risk for budget cuts.

One of the most commonly asked questions I received from my constituents is – What exactly does King County do? Answering this question is important when putting these budget cuts into perspective.

King County government is much like the operating system on your computer. Your computer’s operating system runs in the background. You don’t see it, you might not think of it, but is critical to keeping your computer running.

King County government is very similar. We provide services you use every day. When you cast your ballot, hop on a bus, flush your toilet, run on a regional trail, or eat at a restaurant – King County government is making that experience safe, clean, reliable and possible.

If we are doing our job well, you shouldn’t think much about us.

King County government provides both regional and local services for residents.

Regional services are provided to all King County residents and include:

• Public health functions like restaurant inspections, disease control, and water sanitation

• Criminal-justice services such as the courts, jails, and sheriff’s office

• Metro bus service

• Management and tabulation of elections

• Animal care and control functions

• Emergency management and emergency planning services;

• Human services

• Acquisition and maintenance of trails, parks and open space

• Wastewater management.

Local services are provided for unincorporated areas – those areas not included in city limits. These services include roads; zoning and land use and police services.

While we enjoy the benefits of a dedicated funding source for many services, such as bus transportation, flood protection, mental health resources, parks and Medic One, the county’s budget crisis lies within the general, or undesignated fund. This fund is supported primarily by sales and property tax revenues, which are vulnerable to the economy and limited in their growth. The need to cut programs from the general fund is concerning to me and to many of our city leaders because the potential impacts of fewer sheriff deputies, diminished ability to fight the spread of disease, overcrowded jails and less assistance for children and families in need will be felt by all of us, countywide.

Although we are confronted with difficult budget decisions, I believe we will create solutions that maintain core government services.

Whether we live in one of King County’s 39 cities or are one of the 360,000 residents who reside in unincorporated King County, we all share a common desire for better parks, transportation choices, recreation opportunities, a strong criminal justice system, a clean environment, quality public health services and a safety net to provide for our most vulnerable.

These issues transcend city borders and party label and require cooperation among many governments and leaders in the environmental, labor and business community.

As we move forward – and we will move forward – I ask for your thoughts and ideas on how we can preserve King County’s high quality of life.

Julia Patterson of Seatac is the chair

of the King County Council. Reach her

at julia.patterson@kingcounty.gov.