Highlights of Seattle City Councils 2013 Budget Actions

The City Council worked collaboratively to craft numerous amendments to the 2013 budget proposal that will effectively address the needs Seattle residents face today. These changes improve public safety, enhance transportation mobility, care for the most vulnerable Seattle residents, build sustainable communities and deliver results. The numbers highlighted below represent additions made by the City Council, not necessarily the entire funding available for those particular line items.

Improving Public Safety

The City Council enhanced public safety in neighborhoods by: increasing funding for directed police emphasis patrols in 2013 to prevent violent crime and apprehend violent offenders ($1,000,000) and increasing funding to hire new police officers to stabilize staffing at 1,322 officers in 2014 ($1,570,000). The Council took steps to accelerate the replacement of the North Precinct station with the goal of completing the project by 2016 instead of 2019 by increasing the amount of debt to be issued in 2013.

Enhancing Transportation Mobility

Transit. The Council reprioritized transit funding from long-term planning of high-capacity transit in order to implement improvements on current high priority bus corridors identified in Citys Transit Master Plan ($2,150,000). The final budget package also directs $1,850,000 of previously reserved 2014 funding to the extension of the First Hill Streetcar and the future Downtown connector, which will link the South Lake Union and First Hill Streetcars. The Council directed funding for a Transit Reliability Study for the SR 520 project as well ($60,000). Streets. The Council added funding for arterial and non-arterial street maintenance and repairs for 2014 ($2,000,000). Bicycle and pedestrian projects. Councilmembers increased the overall funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects, and prioritized several specific bicycle and pedestrian improvements, including the Ballard Greenway ($1,275,000), the Delridge Greenway ($625,000), the West Seattle Lower Bridge Trail ($75,000) and the Downtown Cycle Track ($750,000). The Council also directed funding toward a Bike and Pedestrian Access Study for the SR 520 project ($160,000).

The adopted budget package also includes additional funding for West Seattles Fauntleroy Green Boulevard project ($250,000).

Caring for the Most Vulnerable

The City Council continued its commitment from prior years, protecting and sometimes increasing direct human services funding for a variety of vulnerable populations. For victims of domestic violence, the Council funded additional legal assistance ($50,000), another legal advocate for immigrant victims ($45,000), bilingual and culturally appropriate services for limited English speaking victims ($60,000) and legal and medical advocacy for victims in cases that do not result in criminal charges ($75,000). For individuals and families needing food security, the Council increased bulk food purchasing for food banks ($150,000) and bulk food purchasing for the meal provider system ($50,000). For seniors, the Council added funding for Senior Centers to hire social workers to conduct outreach to home-bound seniors. For first-time moms living in poverty, the Council is ramping up funding to the Nurse Family Partnership, a program that sends specially-trained nurses to visit and provide support services for moms from the first months of pregnancy up until the child turns two ($530,000 in 2013, $1,100,000 in 2014). This funding will enable all first-time moms living in poverty who want the program to benefit from it. Independent studies have proven that Nurse Family Partnership improves the health of the families, increases each childs readiness for school, and reduces crime. For homeless women, men and families, the Council increased funding for Rapid Rehousing to provide immediate housing options and support services for the homeless ($200,000); flexible funding for additional shelter services when need develops during the year ($100,000); funding for additional shelter services to women during non-winter months ($50,000); funding for daycenter services including hygiene and support services in downtown neighborhoods ($200,000); and limited transition funding for childcare services for homeless children ($50,000).

Building a Sustainable Community

To encourage the growth of a more sustainable community, the Council added funding for Green Jobs initiatives ($40,000), for planning and support for a South Lake Union Energy District ($30,000), for the Regional Food Policy Council ($30,000) and for the Green Seattle Partnership, a program that leverages volunteer hours to clean up Seattles green spaces ($500,000). To help support Seattles continued economic recovery and growth, the Council added funding and staff positions to support growth-oriented land-use planning initiatives ($244,000) and an extensive review of the SODO industrial area and Port of Seattle land-use issues ($197,000). The Council also added funding to streamline the permitting processes for restaurants ($75,000).

To ensure the city is well prepared for natural disasters, the Council increased funding for disaster recovery planning ($200,000) and for policy development around retrofitting unreinforced masonry buildings ($60,000).

Delivering Results
Consistent with adopted policy (Resolution 31404), the City Council wants to ensure that programs are delivering results to the people of Seattle. To make sure the Citys new investments actually improve lives and communities, the Council set aside $400,000 for the City Auditor to conduct evaluations of programs targeted for significant expansion (the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and the Career Bridge employment assistance program) and has provided additional staff at the Auditors Office to support this work. The Council also requested additional clarity from the Executive regarding the specific outcome targets for other new or expanded programs, including the Center City Initiative and entrepreneurial support offered by the Office of Economic Development.