Select Budget Committee Reviews SPD Budget on October 15, 2026

The Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee met on October 15, 2026, from 9:32 a.m. to 5:16 p.m., with a lunch recess from 12:34 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. The committee received Central Staff presentations and policy analysis on the 2027–2028 Proposed Budget for the Seattle Police Department (SPD) in the morning session, followed by similar briefings on the Seattle Fire Department (SFD), Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE), Human Services Department (HSD), and United Care Team (UCT) in the afternoon. The meeting also included an earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Only written public comment was accepted for this meeting; no oral testimony was heard.

Discussion Items

1. Seattle Police Department (SPD) Budget (9:32 a.m. – 12:34 p.m.)

Central Staff analyst Greg Doss presented a 26-page analysis covering eight policy issues. Key topics included:

• Sworn Staffing Plan: The proposed budget increases SPD funding by $68 million (13.9%) over 2026, largely driven by $56 million for bargained salary increases and $12.5 million for sworn salaries. The mayor establishes a funded FTE cap of 1,250, which equates to 1,174 fully trained and 1,125 deployable officers at steady state—well below the 2019 peak of 1,281 deployable officers. The plan projects 43 net new officers in 2027 and sustainment hiring (0 net new) in 2028. Hiring would slow from ~12 recruits/month to ~7/month by late 2027.

• Staffing Options: Central Staff offered options for accelerating hiring: Option B (maintain current recruit hiring) would cost $792,000 in 2027 and $11.6 million in 2028, adding 92 net new officers over the biennium. Option C (maintain current recruit and lateral hiring) would cost $2.1 million in 2027 and $17 million in 2028, adding 125 net new officers. Ongoing costs in 2029 would be $22–29 million.

• Recruitment & Retention Cuts: The executive eliminated $2.4 million in hiring bonuses and $3.5 million in media/marketing, arguing the new SPOG contract (highest pay in state) suffices. Council options include restoring funding for bonuses or marketing.

• Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs): SPD has 18 long-term vacancies; the budget cuts half of these positions. PEOs generate ~$200,000/year in revenue each but cost $115,000. A prior proviso to fund hires went unused. Central Staff recommended a statement of legislative intent rather than re-adding positions.

• Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC): The executive defunded 3 of 21 planned civilian positions, though SPD says it can staff 24/7 with the remaining 18. Council could restore the three positions ($511,000/year).

• Civilian Investigators: 14 civilian positions added in 2025–26 to assist detectives were partially hired (7 filled); the remaining 7 are eliminated in the proposed budget. Central Staff is still analyzing workload impact.

• DEI & 30×30 Positions: The executive eliminated a DEI position and a 30×30 (women in policing) position, each $207,000. SPD has not hired for these roles in the past. Council could add back with proviso, but past provisos have not compelled hiring.

• Overtime: SPD is budgeted for 473,000 overtime hours in each year of the biennium, but has consistently spent ~500,000 hours. A $2.1 million deficit is projected in 2026; the executive requests a year-end supplemental. Council could proactively add $2.1 million to the 2027 budget.

Councilmember Comments & Questions:

• Councilmember Kettle (Public Safety Chair) argued the 1,250 FTE number is a “PR number” that will not rebuild staffing to the 1,400+ officer goal. He criticized the slowing of hiring and called the budget an “unfunding of public safety.”
• Councilmember Rivera expressed concern about capping hiring at 43 net new over two years, especially given population growth. She noted a 30×30 position she added last year remains unfilled and that the north precinct has 42% of the population but only 25% of officers.
• Councilmember Lynn emphasized that SPD is receiving a $68 million increase (13.9%)—more than any other department—while other departments face cuts. He questioned whether the slowdown in hiring is a “cap” or a “limitation.”
• Councilmember Saka praised the analysis but disagreed with eliminating hiring incentives, especially for laterals. He highlighted the importance of PEOs and called for addressing the disincentive to hire them.
• Councilmember Mercedes-Rinck placed the SPD increase in context of layoffs in five other departments. She questioned the $13 million SPOG overpayment and the lack of alternatives to 30×30 and DEI positions. She noted the Meloria staffing study did not account for CARE alternative response.
• Councilmember Foster asked about the “bottleneck” in field training officers (20 students unassigned) and noted that attrition requires hiring 13 officers/month to maintain status quo, but the budget drops to ~7/month in 2027.
• Chair Strauss raised questions about Harbor Patrol integration with 911 and the impact of a laid-off auto records position on property crime victims.

2. Seattle Fire Department (SFD) (after recess, 1:50 p.m.)

• The Information Item (Inf 2986) was heard in committee. No further details provided in the transcript.

3. Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) (after recess)

• The Information Item (Inf 2985) was heard in committee. No further details provided in the transcript.

4. Human Services Department (HSD) and United Care Team (UCT) (after recess)

• The Information Item (Inf 2987) was heard in committee. No further details provided in the transcript.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken. The committee concluded the morning session on SPD and recessed for lunch, then returned to hear briefings on SFD, CARE, HSD, and UCT. Central Staff policy options and councilmember concerns will inform potential amendments to the 2027–2028 budget. The meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
• An earthquake drill was conducted at 10:15 a.m., which the Chair noted was an improvement over the real earthquake two weeks prior.