No police, water if King Co. city doesn't adopt budget

A budget battle – including a physical fight over a gavel – has Black Diamond, Washington approaching a citywide shutdown.

A photo from a Black Diamond City Council meeting two sessions ago had some people talking when multiple verbal spats and physical confrontation between the mayor and a councilperson broke out.

Mayor Carol Benson and councilmember Erika Morgan were fighting for control of the meeting, but leaders said what would happen if the city shuts down is far more important than their squabble.

KIRO 7 News talked to the mayor, who said police, city water and sewer-system departments will shut down if the city government shuts down Jan. 1.

Mountain View Fire and Rescue is not shutting down because payment is not due until the spring. But the chief warned that if water gets shut down, what they could do to save people would be greatly diminished.

Meanwhile, the city council has not adopted a city operating budget.

A special meeting was called for 5 p.m. Tuesday. Mayor Carol Benson made it clear that meetings will continue every night until a decision is reached.

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