For Immediate Release, Tuesday, July 22, 2010
Contact:  Carrie Shaw (425) 344-1787

Countywide Forums to Tackle Budget Priorities and Taxes
Fall forum results to precede county vote on new sales tax measure and County Council approval of 2011 budget

SEATTLE – King Countyʼs nationally recognized Countywide Community Forums (CCF) announced today the main topic for Round 6 this fall is budget priorities and tax issues. Called “Citizen Priorities for Government in Challenging Economic Times,” the survey will ask county residents to prioritize county services within existing county revenues and look at long-term solutions to ongoing budget shortfalls. Forums throughout King County, and a new online participation model, are scheduled to begin in mid-Sept. To register or learn more go to CommunityForums.org or call toll-free at (800) 369-2584.

“This is a vital and timely topic going into the fall budget process for the county,” says Matt Rosenberg, director of CCF and founder of SocialCapitalReview.org “Setting priorities for government continues to be a topic that CCF participants want to tackle, and with the recent decision by the County Council to place a sales tax increase on the ballot in November, how to deal with the budget shortfall is on many peopleʼs minds.”

Countywide Community Forums is a King County program that gives residents the opportunity to discuss and provide input to county decision-makers on important policy issues like budget priorities, transportation, and public safety. The CCF program is unique because it allows residents to meet online or in person to share ideas about how to make the county better.

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