In recent years the funding for a Renton-based agency that treats the victims of sexual assault has been “dicey,” says its long-time executive director.

The agency, the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, cared for nearly 3,000 clients in 2009.

That year, financially at least, was the most challenging year ever for the agency, said director Mary Ellen Stone.

“I can’t remember a year that was more nerve-wracking,” said Stone.

It had just made $80,000 in budget cuts and laid off four employees in 2008. But the King County Council came through with a plan to restore some of those cuts, including two therapist positions. This year, the budget picture brightened, she said, through the efforts of such council members as Julia Patterson and Reagan Dunn, who represent parts of Renton.

But, the agency’s budget is still far from stable.

That stability could come from a two-tenths of a percent increase in the county sales tax the County Council is now considering and could go on the November ballot. The extra money would go to public safety agencies.

Stone argues her agency is a key part of the criminal-justice system in King County.

“Our clients are victims of a crime,” she said.

Fear or lack of support may prevent a victim from coming forward to report an assault, so no one is ever charged. But, her agency provides that support and therapy, giving victims the courage to come forward, she said.

About 52 percent of the agency’s clients are children and teens. About two thirds of its clients come from South King County.

Monday, the County Council will take public testimony on two proposals that include a sales-tax increase to support the criminal-justice system. A third proposal would raise the sales tax by one-tenth of a percent to replace the county’s juvenile detention center in Seattle.

About 20 percent of KSARC’s funding comes from King County. KSARC and DAWN, which provides shelter for victims of domestic assault, would be the main recipients of $1.2 million in revenue from the sales tax, Stone said.

“We believe that would give us stability,” she said.

KSARC also receives funding from suburban cities, including Renton, and the state and federal governments.

Private donations make up about 25 percent of its budget. In October the agency will hold its Kids are Our Business luncheon, where attendees can learn more about how to prevent sexual assault.

Today, the agency has 35 full-time employees, providing direct services in such areas as therapy, legal advocacy and parent support. It offers a resource line and educational services.

This year’s budget is about $3 million; typically, it’s closer to $2.5 million, Stone said.

The agency recently renewed its lease with the City of Renton. It’s located in the former Renton City Hall. As part of the lease negotiations, the city agreed to tenant improvements that turned a relatively open area into individual rooms that increased therapy space by about 20 percent.

Supporting the improvements were two of the agency’s vendors, First Line Voice and Data Networks and Business Interiors Northwest.

Still, even with the extra space, the agency still turns away six clients for every one it accepts, Stone said.

For staff “that’s very painful,” she said.

Hearing on sales-tax hikes

The King County Council will take public testimony Monday on proposals that would increase the sales tax to support the county’s criminal-justice system. The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers, 12th floor, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Seattle. The council meeting begins at 11 a.m.