King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to cut $7.2 million from the King County Sheriff's operating budget—the equivalent of 71 full-time positions—to help shore up the $60 million deficit in the county's general fund, according to a statement released from Constantine's office today. However, these KC Sheriff services slated for the ax (and the employees who run them) would get a reprieve with the passage of Proposition 1—a 0.2 percent sales tax hike—this November. Constantine appears to be sending a direct signal that unless voters pass this measure in November, there will be a huge cut to services they rely on. (Hiking a sales tax in a state that already has the most regressive tax system in the country is another fight.)

This 9.5 percent budget reduction would have a dramatic effect on public safety services. Services that will be cut from the KC Sheriff's Office include: school resource officers, marine patrol, investigation of property crimes, homeland security, police storefronts, hazardous materials disposal, and regional gang and drug task forces.

In addition, 28 deputies and two civilians dedicated to patrolling unincorporated areas in King County will be laid off. In addition, eight sergeants, four command staff, and 51 detectives will be demoted and/or transferred back to patrol.

The KC Sheriff's office has also reduced its operations from four precincts to two, and imposed a salary freeze on 13 employees.

There are more cuts to the KC budget to come. Constantine will submit his balanced budget proposal on Monday, September 27 to the Metropolitan King County Council.