‘A blank check’: Reagan Dunn says King County should fix oversight before raising sales tax

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn wants the county to show it can responsibly manage taxpayers’ money before collecting more, explaining his vote against a new sales tax increase intended to fund child care, youth mental health care, shelters, and rental assistance.

Joining “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Dunn acknowledged that the 0.01% increase, an extra penny on a $100 purchase, is small. His objection centered on approving revenue before identifying specific programs and measurable results.

“It looks a lot more like what I call a blank check or a slush fund kind of funding set,” Dunn said.

The increase is expected to generate about $10 million next year. In Dunn’s view, the county should have outlined exactly how it would spend that money before approving the tax.

“So we pass the tax, and then next November, when we do the budget, we figure out exactly where that money is going to go,” he explained. “That seems like you’re putting the cart in front of the horse.”

Dunn calls for measurable results before new revenue

KIRO fill-in host Angela Poe Russell asked about his colleagues’ reasons for supporting the increase. Dunn acknowledged their desire to address homelessness and housing needs, but remained skeptical that more spending would produce better results.

“We got a problem here, and I’m not sure more money is the answer to that problem,” Dunn told the hosts.

His opposition was not a blanket rejection of taxes. Instead, he wants funding tied to programs whose performance can be evaluated.

“I’ll support taxes sometimes,” he added. “But it’s got to be done when there’s a measurable program that will do good that we can check its performance over time.”

Dunn pointed to recent allegations of improper grant spending and duplicate billing as reasons to strengthen oversight first:

“I think that the county needs to get its house in order in terms of management and administration and supervising these grants to make sure the dollars are being spent wisely,” he said. “And then maybe then we can talk about new revenue.”

Inspector general should come first, Dunn says

The council also approved a new inspector general, a hire Dunn supported. He described the incoming official as a 26-year FBI veteran who served as inspector general in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Dunn argued that the county should give its new oversight operation time to begin working before adding taxes.

“We haven’t even brought this person on yet,” he noted. “It doesn’t start for a month or so.”

He also criticized the use of council votes, rather than public votes, to approve new taxes. In his view, voters should have a more direct role in deciding how much revenue the county receives.

Dunn warns spending problems could undermine future levy

Concerns about financial management could also threaten voter support for the next Best Starts for Kids levy, according to Dunn.

Asked whether he would support that measure, Dunn tied his decision to reforms and evidence that programs are delivering results.

“If we don’t get our house in order, there’s no way I can support it,” he responded.

KIRO host Ursula Reutin shared her concern, explaining that questions about how money is handled had made her reconsider her usual support for tax measures.

For Dunn, restoring public trust is essential.

“We’ve got a long way to go before we’ve earned the public’s trust and, in my opinion, their support for this new tax levy next year,” he said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.