At the end of October, Seattle City Council discussed amendments to the Mayor’s Proposed 2022 Budget. Below are a few items highlights:

  • Finance General
  • Department of Finance and Administrative Services
    • $360,000 for a victims’ compensation fund and community-based organization support.
  • Department of Construction and Inspections
    • A Statement of Legislative Intent requiring reporting on the Design Review program outcomes, process improvements, and equity.
    • $150,000 for a study of permit review times
    • $164,000 for a childcare permit facilitator
  • Homelessness Response
    • Councilmember Andrew Lewis has brought forward amendments for all three budget requests from the Regional Homelessness Authority.
      • $600,000 in costs
      • $7.6 million for a peer navigator program
        • Councilmembers had some questions and concerns about the Medicaid reimbursement process and what would happen if some of this was not reimbursable.
      • $19.4 million for a shelter ($17 million in on-going costs)
    • Seattle Police Department
      • A proviso on $5 million in police department funds in the case of salary savings. This is similar to the budget amendment Council passed last budget session.
      • Cut of $4.53 million for salary savings because of fewer sworn officers
      • Council continued discussions on relocating Community Service Officers to the Community Safety and Communications Center. Councilmember Dan Strauss voiced support for this move.
      • Cut of $1.09 million for hiring incentives
    • Seattle Department of Transportation
      • An increase in the Commercial Parking Tax to 14.5%. Revenue would go toward Structures Major Maintenance and Vision Zero.
      • Issue $100 million of LTGO bonds in 2022 for SDOT bridge maintenance.
    • Human Services Department
      • An increase in funding for LEAD ($14+ million)
      • $5 million to expand and develop childcare facilities
      • $13.9 million to expand the mental and behavioral health crisis system
      • $32 million in one-time funding to create a voluntary crisis stabilization center

For additional information on Council’s budget amendments see the following news coverage:

Next Steps:

The next public hearing on the budget is November 10 at 5:30p.m. Learn more about how you can sign up for public comment here. The sign-up form for public comment opens two hours before each council meeting.

You may also submit written comments to all nine Councilmembers by emailing Council@seattle.gov.

Councilmember Mosqueda will incorporate amendments and Council will discuss her balancing package on November 12.