Seattle Select Budget Committee Reviews 2027-2028 Proposed Budget and Sustainability on October 13, 2026

The Select Budget Committee, chaired by Councilmember Dan Strauss, met on October 13, 2026, from 9:31 AM to 2:30 PM (with a lunch recess from 12:05 PM to 1:11 PM) to review the Mayor's proposed 2027-2028 budget. Central staff presented analyses on budget balancing, general fund sustainability, a proposed voluntary separation program, and department-specific issues for the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). The committee heard 12 public comments (6 in-person, 6 remote) and one late in-person speaker. No formal votes were taken; all items were heard as information items. The next amendment deadline is October 20, 2026, and the revenue forecast update is scheduled for October 16, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris (District 6 resident, co-owner of Farm Stand Local Foods): Expressed full support for sustaining meal programs and Fresh Bucks funding, noting that every dollar spent with local farms generates $1.80 in economic activity per UW research.
• Matthew Offenbacher (Capitol Hill resident, artist): Urged moving $8 million from SPD's budget to the Office of Arts and Culture, citing an open letter signed by over 700 artists and 110 organizations. Proposed using $13 million from SPD's overpaid payroll and cutting the Police Outreach and Engagement Team.
• Jason Austin (Program Director, Meals Partnership Coalition): Supported permanent $1 million funding for meal programs, highlighting that 58 organizations across Seattle rely on this support, including Southeast Seattle Senior Center and Elizabeth Gregory Home.
• Jeremy Vray Blick (Owner, Cascadier Produce): Spoke in favor of continued funding for Fresh Bucks and meal programs, describing how the program helps an elderly woman access fresh produce.
• Steve Rubstello: Expressed strong concern about public safety, calling for more police officers and better follow-up, and criticized the city's response to repeat offenders.
• Crystal Ball: Opposed increased SPD funding, noting three fatal shootings by SPD in the past year and a 13.8% budget increase proposed while $65 million is cut from affordable housing. Cited that investments in housing reduced King County bookings by 20-27%.
• Rachel Katoa (Organizer, Church Council of Seattle): Urged a budget reflecting abundance and community care, arguing that services, shelter, and arts funding create real public safety, not policing.
• Reverend Alex Booker (District 7 pastor): Stated he is pro-public safety but believes adding police funding is a band-aid. Urged shifting funds to arts, food, after-school, and summer programs for youth.
• Rosalie: Described struggles in the trans community, noting a friend's suicide attempt, and criticized a $1.2 million Salvation Army grant that has not been utilized. Asked for more direct support for mutual aid efforts.
• Ref Lindmark (Volunteer co-lead, Blessed Sacrament Church Sunday dinner): Urged continued support for meal programs, noting the number served rose from 300-350 to nearly 700 per Sunday, and costs increased significantly.
• Laurel H: Expressed concern about antisemitism and pro-Hamas messages at Cal Anderson Park, criticizing the city's silence and subsidizing of groups she said promote violence. Thanked Councilmember Rivera for raising antisemitism.
• Logan Schmidt (MBAX): Commented on SDCI's budget, supporting Central Staff's Option C for quarterly reporting and fund policies, and requested a clear methodology for permit fee calculation. Supported maintaining contingent budget authority.
• Cedar: Spoke against increased police funding, citing $350 million in settlements since 2020, and argued for funding the fire department instead. Described a personal experience where fire department saved their life.
• Hannah (Pioneer Square): Called for investment in arts and community building rather than SPD increases. Criticized overpriced public bathrooms ($140K each) and fake job positions cushioning budgets.
• Stephanie Sismaet (Assistant Director, Community Dining Program at Sound Generations): Supported permanent meal program funding, describing how the program serves older adults at 16 locations and helps offset rising food costs.
• Julie Chang Shulman (Co-executive steward, Forever Safe Spaces): Updated that the open letter for arts funding from SPD budget now has over 1,000 signatories and 130 organizations. Shared personal story of how arts community provided sanctuary, and noted a historic decline in violence after a $3.6 million arts investment.
• David Haynes: Called the homelessness crisis a