Seattle Select Budget Committee Hears 2027-2028 Proposed Budget – Sept. 24, 2026

The Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee, chaired by Councilmember Dan Strauss, convened on September 24, 2026, at 9:31 a.m. in Council Chamber. The committee heard presentations on the Mayor's proposed 2027-2028 budgets, including an overview from the City Budget Office and departmental briefings from Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Center, and the Office of Arts and Culture. The meeting included extensive public comment and discussion on public safety, budget sustainability, and departmental priorities.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Firefighters and Union Representatives: Multiple Seattle firefighters and union president Kenny Stewart opposed proposed $7.1 million cuts to the Fire Department overtime budget, arguing it would reduce minimum staffing from 222 to 209 per day, delay emergency responses, and undermine firefighter safety. They noted Seattle's population has grown over 30% since 2010, fire calls over 40%, yet staffing has not kept pace.
• Advocates for Victims of Police Violence: Speakers including Castile Hightower, Ophelia, Lucky Jordan, and others demanded $50,000 to create an office for victims of police violence, citing recent deaths and injuries by Seattle Police and lack of accountability. They criticized the proposed $68 million increase in police spending while ignoring victims.
• Community Organizations: Representatives from Radical Women, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Labor Militant United Front, and others called for rejecting austerity, taxing the wealthy, and funding social services, housing, and fire department instead of police increases. Speakers also highlighted needs for homeless services, RV outreach, and youth programs.
• Business and Resident Voices: Neil Patel of Georgetown Business Association expressed frustration with ineffective public safety responses. Other residents supported funding for victims of police violence and affordable housing.

Discussion Items

• Budget Process Overview: Lish Whitson, Director of Council Central Staff, outlined the six-step budget review process, with department presentations, public hearing (Oct. 6), central staff deep dives (Oct. 13), revenue forecast update (Oct. 16), and council member budget proposals due Oct. 20.
• City Budget Office (CBO) Overview: Director Aly Pennucci presented the Mayor's balanced 2027-2028 general fund budget, closing a projected $175 million deficit through over $40 million in ongoing reductions, fund swaps, and use of JumpStart revenues. The budget includes $68 million net increase for police, $7.1 million reduction to fire overtime, $1 million cut to the Food Equity Fund, and $25 million in REET reductions over six years for parks capital. Pennucci emphasized progress toward sustainability but acknowledged more work needed.
• Councilmember Reactions: Chair Strauss expressed concerns about fire and police reductions, while praising collaborative process. Councilmember Kettle called the budget a negative inflection point for public safety, criticizing fire overtime cuts and plateauing police staffing at 1,250. Council President Juarez questioned how the deficit was closed without previously discussed fire district or Seattle Center taxes, and asked for explanation of new progressive revenue plans. Councilmember Foster sought clarification on JumpStart fund outlook and youth services funding.
• Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR): Interim Director Michele Finnegan presented $11 million in general fund savings through efficiency and realignment, including $3.5 million from efficiencies (e.g., removing bond payments, abrogating vacant FTEs) and $7.8 million from funding realignments (e.g., shifting arts programs to Arts fund, reallocating Park District capital to operations). Capital reductions of $25 million in REET over six years affect Gasworks Park remediation, athletic field replacements, and other projects. Proposed investments include $400,000 annual increase in recreation scholarships, $1.6 million aquatics subsidy, two new park restrooms, and teen late-night programming. Councilmembers discussed park safety, turf field replacements, restroom maintenance, and the need for better coordination on parks like Jose Rizal and Freeway Park.
• Seattle Center and Office of Arts and Culture: (Agenda items but not detailed in provided transcript; presentations were heard after lunch recess.)

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; all agenda items were information briefings and discussions.
• The committee recessed at 11:35 a.m. and reconvened at 1:38 p.m. for Session II.
• Councilmember budget proposals are due October 20, 2026, with two co-sponsors required.
• The next public hearing on the budget is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
• Central staff will present deep-dive analyses starting October 13, 2026.