The Metropolitan King County Council is still weighing options on whether or not to put a sales tax increase on the August primary ballot. The two-tenths of an increase to sales tax, which was proposed by County Executive Dow Constantine last month, would help the county maintain criminal justice and public health programs that otherwise would be facing budget cuts to do shortfalls.

A majority of members of the Council support the initiative, but it requires a super majority of Councilmembers to approve it for the Aug. 17 ballot.

Councilmember Kathy Lambert wanted staff to look for other ways to direct money without raising current taxes.

If approved, the county would receive 60 percent of the revenue and other cities within the county would split the rest based on population.

For the measure to be added to the August ballot, the Council will have to vote on it during the May 24 meeting.

For more on the Council, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx.