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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels (former Mayor)
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Nickels' 2008 budget : making history today
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/17/2007 2:45:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 233-9257
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Mayor Nickels' 2008 budget:
making history today
Strong economy allows new initiatives,
support of high-priority programs
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels today proposed a 2008 budget that invests wisely
for the future. Based on a strong economy, the budget concentrates on five
areas: public safety, transportation, neighborhood enrichment, customer service
and climate protection. Benefiting from $35 million in additional General Fund
revenues, Nickels’ proposed budget continues support of high-priority
programs and takes on new initiatives.
“Over the past six years, we have worked hard to make smart investments
for Seattle. Today we’re reaping the benefits. The investments I am proposing
today will enrich our neighborhoods, improve public safety, make it easier
to get around, create a more open and responsive government and, most importantly,
leave Seattle and our planet a better place to live for our children and their
children,” Nickels said.
Following are highlights of the mayor’s proposed budget in the five
areas:
- Public safety - 20 additional police officers; 15 additional firefighters
to complete establishment of four-person crews on all fire engines; 24 new
red light cameras; six new park rangers; new downtown Medic One Motorcycle
teams; and continued police emphasis patrols downtown and in southeast Seattle.
- Transportation - additional neighborhood-based projects, such as sidewalks
and other pedestrian focused efforts; and operation of the South Lake Union
line of the Seattle Streetcar and planning for additional lines.
- Neighborhood enrichment - parks expansion and development; a new trail
around Lake Union; helping nonprofit organizations acquire surplus schools;
and additional neighborhood arts programs.
- Climate protection - programs to help residents and businesses reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in city of Seattle buildings.
- Customer service - new 311 call center providing callers with a single
number to call for non-emergency assistance.
The proposed General Fund budget - which pays for services typically associated
with city government, such as police, fire, parks and libraries - is $921 million.
The total proposed budget (including utilities) for 2008 is $3.5 billion.
The proposed budget invests more than $5 million in initiatives specifically
targeting climate protection. “Today we face a challenge that will affect
the planet for generations to come - climate change. Here in Seattle we have
made great strides to reduce our contributions to global warming, but we must
do more. Making Seattle a compelling place to live is critical to protecting
our climate. That’s why our investments must create stronger, more affordable
neighborhoods, safer streets, better transportation alternatives, outstanding
public schools and a more efficient and responsive government. I believe this
budget moves us strongly in that direction,” Nickels said.
The Neighborhood Parks, Green Spaces, Trails, and Zoo Levy Lid Lift expires
after 2008. The Levy provided eight years of funding for various parks-related
acquisition, development, and maintenance projects, and included funding for
expanded programs and services at parks and community centers. About $9 million
would need to be found starting in 2009 if all of these programs were continued.
The mayor has proposed the General Fund pick this up in 2008 (except for the
Zoo portion that will come from the County Parks Levy), which builds these
programs into the base General Fund budget. This allows the 2008 Levy money
to be used for a nearly $6 million capital fund for neighborhood parks.
This year a new benchmark was set for real estate excise tax revenues, providing
nearly $15 million more than initially forecast for infrastructure projects.
But, acknowledging economic uncertainty on the horizon, Nickels’ budget
adds $3 million to the city’s emergency fund and another $4.7 million
to the “rainy day fund,” putting them at the highest levels ever.
In addition to economic concerns, the city faces significant financial challenges
in the years ahead: business and occupation tax law changes, commitments to
hire more police officers, the need for a new North Precinct Police Station,
and the future of KeyArena.
This is the second year of Seattle’s biennial budget. Under this approach,
the City Council formally adopts the budget for the first year of the biennium
and endorses the budget for the second year. The mayor’s 2008 proposed
budget is based on the endorsed budget. The City Council will spend October
and November reviewing the mayor’s 2008 proposed budget and capital improvement
program (CIP). The budget and CIP must be adopted no later than Dec. 1. State
law requires Seattle adopt a balanced budget.
Copies of the proposed budget and CIP will be available online the week of
Sep. 27. Go to this Web site: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/issues/budget/
For more information, visit the mayor’s Web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor.
Get the mayor’s inside view on initiatives to promote transportation,
public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for
The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.
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