Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) introduced an amendment in the 2025-26 Budget process to ensure that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is meetings its goals with its pothole repair program, while also providing accountability and transparency for residents who report potholes in their neighborhoods.
“Potholes are a concern for every district in Seattle, which is why I’m making it my mission to become the ‘King of Pothole Repair,’” said Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the Transportation Committee. “It’s not just about filling holes with dirt – it’s about good governance and making sure we’re using the resources we have to most efficiently address residents’ concerns across the City. It’s also about increasing transparency to better position our City to deliver the everyday basics of local government in an extraordinary way.”
Councilmember Saka’s proposal requests SDOT to provide a report on its pothole repair program, including:
- How SDOT identifies, prioritizes and repairs potholes
- Key performance indicators
- Objectives and results used to evaluate pothole incidents and roadway conditions
- Notable industry trends and best practices
“I strongly support using data to determine if the city is meeting our goals. I am really glad to see that Councilmember Saka is putting forth these accountability measures when it comes to pothole repair,” said Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4).
What’s next
The Budget Chair’s Balancing Package was released on Oct. 30. The Council amendment process began today and will go through Friday, Nov. 15. Proposed amendments are published and available for the public to review and track. Full adoption of the budget could happen as early as Nov. 21.
Additional information on the budget process, including the full committee calendar, can be found on the council website.
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