Council Chair Bob Ferguson supports asking voters to increase Sheriff’s Bargaining Authority

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Bob Ferguson released this statement today on a proposed ordinance that would place a measure on the November general election ballot to amend the King County Charter to increase the authority of the King County Sheriff in regard to contract negotiations:

“The Sheriff is the expert on law enforcement administration in King County. She should have a seat at the table when negotiating labor contracts with her employees and the authority to bargain working conditions that put public safety first.


“I am pleased to join my colleague Councilmember Kathy Lambert in a bipartisan effort to ask the voters to amend the Charter to give the Sheriff this authority.


“This is bargaining authority already enjoyed by the Prosecuting Attorney and the Superior and District Courts, and I have asked the prosecuting attorney’s office to thoroughly review the amendment. Barring any unexpected legal impediments, I anticipate voting “yes” on Monday to send this proposal to the ballot.”

Bob Ferguson is Chair of the King County Council and represents a suburban area including the cities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore as well as a large portion of north Seattle and Finn Hill.