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Participatory Budgeting Forum to Explore Public Selection of City Budget Dollars

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1/26/2015

Participatory Budgeting Forum to Explore Public Selection of City Budget Dollars

SEATTLE - Councilmember Nick Licata and the City Neighborhood Council will host a forum regarding Participatory Budgeting on Tuesday, January 27 and explore how such a program would function in Seattle. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a city budget.  Seattle would join Chicago, New York, Boston and San Francisco, which use Participatory Budgeting at the district level.

The event is hosted by Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Finance and Culture Committee, and the Council’s Budget Committee.  A representative from the Participatory Budgeting Project will review how Participatory Budgeting has performed in other U.S. cities, Europe and South America.

Food and beverages will be provided.  More information about the event is available online.

WHAT:  
Participatory Budgeting Forum

WHEN:
Tuesday, January 27
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Bertha Knight Landes Room, First Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104

WHO:
Councilmember Nick Licata, Chair of Budget Committee
City Neighborhood Council
Public

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Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21, HD Channels 321 Comcast, 721 Wave and on the City Council’s website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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Councilmember Statements Regarding Final Adoption of City Budget

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/24/2014

Councilmember Statements Regarding Final Adoption of City Budget

SEATTLE - The City Council gave final approval to the 2015 City Budget by a 8-1 vote at the today's Full Council meeting.

Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Budget Committee, said, "I'd like to thank members of the public for their involvement in helping the Council craft the 2015 City budget. Public involvement resulted in a more responsive city budget that emphasizes human services, social justice and labor standards."  Councilmember Licata added, "In an effort to reach out to more people than in the past, I'll be initiating a community participatory budget process for next year's budget."

In a letter to the Mayor in early August, the Council identified the Council's highest priorities for the 2015-2016 biennium. Councilmembers voted to enhance the proposed budget Mayor Ed Murray delivered on September 22 with greater emphasis on human services, social justice and labor standards. A summary of the major Council's budget modifications is available online.

"From public health funding to enhanced worker protections to early learning investments, the 2015 budget responds to our city's critical needs and advances groundbreaking policies," said Council President Tim Burgess.

Councilmember Jean Godden said, "I'm tremendously proud of the Council's support to set aside funds to establish paid parental leave in 2015. It is one example of our commitment to end the gender wage gap and support our valued employees."

"We continue to focus on adding more police officers, but it is not just about more people. We need to more effectively deploy the current officers into our neighborhoods and ensure communities feel our officers are helping in the prevention of crime. Chief O'Toole is leading Seattle in the right direction with the mantra of using accurate and timely data, rapidly deploying crime reduction plans and commanding relentless follow-up," said Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell. "Additional public safety investments include alley activation in the Chinatown/International District, block watch academies, summer safety activities, mobile domestic violence assistance and a potential pilot for an acoustic gunshot locator system."

"I am proud of the steps City Council is taking to address income inequality in our city through this budget," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "We've passed some great laws recently to support workers - from $15/hour to paid sick leave to protections against wage theft - but I led Council's effort to significantly increase funding for the new Office of Labor Standards to ensure that workers know their rights and know how to exercise them. I also helped provide additional funding for our upcoming priority hire legislation, which aims to employ those people in our city who most need the work on City construction projects. I'm also happy the Council sped up $15/hour for all City employees to take effect next year."

"The 2015-2016 budget package includes investments in many areas important to me, including human services, public health and public safety to make Seattle a safer, healthier place for everyone," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. "It also emphasizes commitments to improve our public spaces, making every Seattle neighborhood more welcoming and connected. Thanks to my colleagues and the Mayor's Office for their collaborative spirit and willingness to find new solutions."

"I am excited that the Council agreed to fund the Neighborhood Conservation District program. When the program is established next year, neighborhoods will have a strong land use tool to accommodate growth and development that respects community history and character," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the sponsor of the new program.

Councilmember Sally J. Clark said, "With this budget, we're making strong investments that will save lives across our city. Thank you to the advocates, community members and program participants themselves who have shaped those investments."

"The movement for a People's Budget has won important improvements to the Mayor's business-as-usual budget, and we will not stop fighting until the needs of regular people in Seattle are met, such as affordable housing and an end to regressive taxation," said Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

[View in Council Newsroom]

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Council Committee Recommends City Budget with Emphasis on Human Services, Social Justice and Labor Standards

City of Seattle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/14/2014

Council Committee Recommends City Budget with Emphasis on Human Services, Social Justice and Labor Standards

Maintains many proposals from Mayor, adds funding for Council priorities

SEATTLE - City Council's Budget Committee recommended approval of the 2015 annual budget by a vote of 9-0 today, thereby enhancing the proposed budget Mayor Ed Murray delivered on September 22.

In a letter to the Mayor in early August, the Council identified human services, public safety and transportation as the Council's highest priorities for the 2015-6 biennium, and requested that funding for direct services be maintained. The Council thanks the Mayor for doing so.

The Council focused on reworking the proposed budget to place greater emphasis on human services, social justice, and funding education and enforcement for city labor standards.

"I have worked with my Council colleagues to ensure that we continue to protect the health, safety and mobility of all Seattle residents,” said Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Budget Committee. "And we are still providing assistance to the most needy.”

Councilmembers incorporated feedback received from hundreds of Seattleites during four community meetings last spring and two public hearings this fall. Additionally, comment was received via email, in writing, and by phone, and is reflected in Council's final product. While Councilmembers have maintained many of the Mayor's proposals, they have added or enhanced funding for some projects and issues, which include but are not limited to:

  • Human Services:
    • $945,000 for homelessness, including $200,000 annually to provide further support for hygiene services, such as free restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities for individuals and families who are homeless;
    • $150,000 for street outreach for homeless youth;
    • $200,000 to implement the Mayor's Task force recommendations;
    • $100,000 annually to support people living in transitional encampments,
    • $175,000 for regional partnerships to address homelessness; and
    • $120,000 annually for year-round, low-barrier shelter for homeless women.
    • In addition, the Council added $250,000 for development of the Meridian Health Center in North Seattle, which provides integrated medical, dental, behavioral, and other services to approximately 14,000 low-income people annually;
    • $250,000 for the University food bank, as part of $368,000 for food programs; and
    • Added $300,000 annually for flexible and mobile advocates for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, estimated to serve 150 victims per year, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, an increase of 22% over current levels.
    • The Council added $1.7 million in 2015-6 to assist non-profits in complying with the minimum wage ordinance.

  • Social Justice/Labor Standards:
    • $1 million for community-outreach and education on City labor standards in 2015 and 2016;
    • Accelerated hiring staff for enforcement of labor standards to 2015.
    • Council also approved funding to increase the wage of all City jobs to $15 an hour beginning in April, 2015.

The Full Council will adopt the final budget on Monday, November 24. A summary of the major Council's budget modifications is available online.

[View in Council Newsroom]