Full Breakdown
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Unveils $9.1 Billion Budget Focused on Public Safety and No New Taxes
By Drooid · · How we work
Budget Overview
Mayor Katie Wilson presented a two-year budget for the 2027–28 biennium that totals $9.1 billion, a 2.2 % rise from the 2026 plan. The proposal aims to close a projected general-fund gap without introducing new taxes, relying on spending cuts, transfers, and higher-than-expected revenue forecasts. The city’s budget office projects a $15.1 million surplus in 2028 and smaller surpluses through 2030.
Public Safety Funding
Public safety receives the largest share increase, rising 13 % to about $1.135 billion. The Seattle Police Department (Seattle Police Department’s (SPD)) budget climbs to $556 million, a $68 million (13.9 %) boost that funds 1,250 officer positions—66 more than the 2026 level—with roughly 3,000 applicants in the hiring pipeline. The Seattle Fire Department (Seattle Fire Department’s (SFD)) is allocated $346 million, including a $7.1 million reduction to overtime and the addition of 5.0 full-time-equivalent firefighters for peak-time aid. The Community Assisted Response & Engagement (CARE) Department receives $72.6 million to sustain 9-1-1 dispatch and community crisis responders, and $14.8 million continues funding for police-accountability offices.
Human Services and Housing
The budget earmarks $500 million for affordable housing, renters, and homelessness services, preserving $140 million in JumpStart payroll-tax revenue for the Office of Housing and directing $183.5 million to homelessness response. The plan targets the addition of 1,000 shelter units by the end of 2027 and maintains 1,750 units annually. Additional allocations include $57 million for food security, $185 million for youth programs, and $8.7 million for fire-station renovations.
Fiscal Balance and Revenue Strategy
To meet the spending plan, the administration proposes $90 million in reductions and transfers, a one-time $65 million shift from the 2026 Office of Housing budget, and an anticipated $58 million increase in JumpStart payroll-tax revenue. The proposal eliminates 128 full-time-equivalent city positions, 113 of which are vacant; fifteen filled positions would be cut. Wilson emphasized that the budget will not draw on the city’s reserves.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I have made the difficult decision to transmit a budget without major new revenue,” — Katie Wilson, mayor — Katie Wilson, mayor
The City Council will now review, amend, and adopt the first year of the budget, with public hearings scheduled in the coming days.