Use Community Forums to speak up about King County budget decisions

Today, budgets on every level are taking center stage. Whether it is our family budget or King County's budget, the current economic environment is creating challenges for all of us.

Despite the difficult choices being made at all levels of government, the current crisis is an opportunity to build greater social capital — a stronger bond between citizens and their local government. With $100 million cut from the current county budget, dueling spending priorities, and many programs in a budgetary "lifeboat," elected officials are placing a premium on the opinion of county citizens, and that means all of us.

The questions before us are about everyday life: Will there be an adequate number of law-enforcement officers patrolling our neighborhoods to keep us safe? Will our favorite park be open and properly maintained for the summer months? Will animal control have the staff to provide a safety net against animal cruelty? Will human services funded by King County be substantially curtailed?

On the revenue side, it is our tax bill that funds these programs. Again, important decisions need to be made that will impact our personal pocketbook. Should there be a fixed limit on how much King County increases yearly spending? Should the state Legislature give counties power to levy utility taxes and business and occupation (B&O) taxes in the unincorporated areas? Should the 1 percent limit on increasing property taxes be repealed?

These questions all underscore how county government impacts our daily lives. King County has recently taken innovative steps to expand our opportunity to register our opinion on these important questions while strengthening communities.

In 2007, the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved Citizen Initiative 24 to create the Countywide Community Forums program (www.CommunityForums.org). This program expands the public-forum process by offering numerous small gatherings at more convenient dates and times. While large public forums are valuable, the opportunity to voice individual opinions and educate citizens on complex issues is limited. The Countywide Community Forums model uses the power of social networking and civic engagement, and the convenience of our living rooms, local libraries and workplaces.

Since 2007, more than 1,500 people have registered to serve as volunteer "Citizen Councilors." Last summer, the program's first round focused on the issue of transportation. Hundreds of people gathered over the course of a month at 114 different locations around the county to learn more about transportation issues and register their opinion through a detailed survey. Round 2 is now under way until March 22 on the topic of Citizen Priorities for County Government: Budget & Strategic Options. Future rounds will cover timely and relevant policy issues.

Seattle and King County have a long history of civic engagement. According to a recent survey from Communities Count, 83 percent of King County adults were "very active" or "somewhat active" in at least one activity in the community. There is reason to take great pride in our level of civic engagement. Indeed, civic engagement is a defining value of our community. High voter turnout, strong neighborhood representation, and social-inclusion experiments like the Conversation Cafes, are all a part of our regional values and civic culture.

The downside of this inclusion and "equal voices at the table" approach is that the public process on policy decisions can become cumbersome and repetitive. However, the Countywide Community Forums model helps to streamline the public-engagement process, while expanding opportunities for people to voice their opinions on the most important public issues.

That is why the current budget crisis is not just a problem. It is also an opportunity to engage citizens in a meaningful civic dialogue.