Council News Release

President Richard Conlin
Budget Chair Jean Godden

COUNCIL – MAYOR WORKING TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS TO BALANCE BUDGET
Multi-Million Dollar Budget Gap Projected

SEATTLE –Today the City Council received new revenue projections forecasting a marked slow down in the coming months resulting in a 18.2 million dollar budget gap over the 2009-2010 biennium. Lower than expected retail sales and business and occupation tax revenues, some of the ripple effects of the national recession facing our country, are largely to blame for the budget gap.

“These numbers come as no surprise, but clearly we have a lot of work left ahead of us. The Council must think about how to meet the needs of our City with less money,” said Council President Richard Conlin. “But Seattle is a strong and resilient city because of the smart investments we have made in our communities. I’m confident that, together, we will rise to the challenge. Yes, we can maintain vital services without losing our strategic focus on Seattle’s future,” he said.

“This latest forecast poses a significant challenge,” said Councilmember Jean Godden, chair of the Council’s Budget Committee. “Further cuts will be necessary; but, by working together, buckling down, being creative and sacrificing where necessary we’ll come up with a balanced budget that streamlines government and provides the ervices that Seattleites want, need and deserve.”

Council staff will detail possible budget reductions for councilmembers to consider at the Budget Committee meeting scheduled for Friday, November 7, 2008 beginning at 9:30 AM in Council Chambers. These potential cuts are in addition to those proposed in the Mayor’s budget now under review by the Council.

“The Council has made it clear that our priorities are public safety, human services, transportation, environment, neighborhood planning and pedestrian safety. Programs and services in these areas will take priority,” said Godden.

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City Council