Budget Reflects $49 Million in Savings that Mayor Durkan Identified During Budget Process, Including Vacancies and Efficiencies at Departments
Seattle (November 26, 2018) – As she approaches her one-year anniversary since taking office on November 28, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today signed her 2019-2020 budget into law at Fire Station 10, where she first proposed the budget on September 24. The Mayor’s budget, the first of her administration, was passed in an 8-1 vote by the City Council on November 19.
“Seattle now has a new balanced budget plan that reflects our values and sets a guide for our work in the upcoming year – a year when we must act urgently to seize opportunities to create a more affordable, just, and vibrant future. When I took office, I made a promise to Seattle: That I would act urgently to make sure we use our resources wisely and build a city that centers community, looks to the future and continues to create opportunity for our young people,” said Mayor Durkan. “I am grateful to Councilmember Sally Bagshaw for her tireless work as Chair of the Select Budget Committee and for leading her colleagues to evaluate and approve this budget. Using this budget as our guide, we must continue to be stewards of the taxpayer dollar and invest in a more affordable, inclusive and vibrant future for all who call Seattle home.”
“Thank you to my Council colleagues and Mayor Durkan for your efforts to craft a balanced budget that addresses the needs of people who need our help the most,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw (District 7 – Pioneer Square to Magnolia), Chair of the Select Budget Committee. “Council Bill 119392 reflects the desire of our City’s leadership to create a safe and healthy city for all of Seattle. Together, we embarked on a proven person-centered approach that will bring critically needed services to more people. While we took steps with this budget to address homelessness, increase substance use disorder treatment, expand mental health outreach and reform the criminal and legal system, a sustained effort in 2019 will be needed if we are to accomplish this together in the year ahead.”
The 2019-2020 budget is balanced, totaling $5.9 billion, and is a sustainable budget that reprioritizes City spending. The budget reflects $49 million in savings that Mayor Durkan identified during the budget process. The budget also invests in addressing Seattle’s affordability, housing, and homelessness challenges.
The 2019 budget includes:
- $2.6 billion for utility services like power, clean drinking water, garbage, and recycling at Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities;
- $734 million for public safety, including a fair contract for our police officers and new fire recruits;
- $610 million for transit and transportation investments; and
- $92.4 million for homelessness across all departments without raising new taxes.
Click here for more information on the adopted budget.