Dear Friends,

Whether planning a family budget, or the budget for a major metropolitan city, the objective is the same. You look ahead and anticipate what you might confront. Unfortunately this year, what we face is tremendous uncertainty about our national economy.

Just as I was preparing to deliver my annual budget address to the City Council this week, Congress was voting down a $700 billion financial rescue plan. The past two weeks have obliterated many of the assumptions we had about the stability of our nation’s financial system. These are unsettling economic times that require caution in all our decisions.

Here in Seattle we are not immune to the financial pressures of the national economy, but the Puget Sound area is considerably stronger than the nation as a whole. Over the past many years, our focus on job creation has attracted new industries and opportunities throughout the city. Meanwhile, we have set priorities, kept discipline on spending and built up a $30 million rainy day fund.

My proposed 2009-2010 budget makes some administrative cuts, but puts more money toward maintaining direct services to the people of Seattle. In a difficult economy, my budget includes a record $52.5 million of general fund for human services to help the least fortunate, includes food programs, shelter and more “Housing First” units for the chronically homeless. The budget also funds our new youth violence prevention initiative, 42 new patrol officers, completion of the Burke-Gilman Trail and builds more sidewalks.

Working together, we have a track record of making responsible decisions. Our financial discipline will see us through these tough economic times. Over the next two months, the City Council will review my proposal and hold public hearings before adopting the budget.
Read more about my 2009-2010 Proposed Budget

Sincerely,


GREG NICKELS
Mayor of Seattle

Seattle's crime rate is at its lowest point in 40 years, but that's no comfort to the families who have lost their children to violence -- this year four teenagers were shot to death in Seattle. The violence has to stop. My 2009-2010 Proposed Budget includes a new initiative to prevent youth violence that will focus on about 800 children a year -- children who are at the highest risk of perpetuating violence or becoming victims. At the beginning of September, Seattle Schools Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson; James Kelly, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and Pastor Reggie C. Witherspoon of Mount Calvary Christian Center joined me to announce this important initiative. The time has come for the City and the community to fundamentally change our overall strategy for preventing youth violence. I am asking neighbors, families, schools, churches, service workers and community members to come together and join our efforts.
Read more about the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative

Another feature of my proposed budget will help grow Seattle's live music scene. I am proposing an admission tax exemption for live music venues in the city. Seattle's musicians help give our city its soul. This incentive will ensure our musicians have more venues to share their creativity and spirit. We estimate that up to 65 live music venues will be able to take advantage of this exemption.
Read the news release

Approximately 52,000 households in Seattle and King County are "unbanked" or "underbanked" and use higher cost services, such as check cashers and payday lenders, rather than the more affordable financial services offered by banks and credit unions. It is simply unacceptable that some people pay high fees for the financial services that others get for free or at very low cost. To help people keep more of what they earn and become financially secure, we collaborated with more than 20 banks and credit unions and launched "Bank on Seattle-King County," a new initiative to connect people to affordable mainstream financial services, including checking, savings, credit and financial education opportunities.
Read the news release

Small businesses are the economic engines in our neighborhoods that make Seattle a great place to live and do business – small business owners are my heroes. Every year we honor 10 small businesses in Seattle for their accomplishments. They are selected based on excellence in management, entrepreneurial spirit, customer service and community involvement. To qualify, the business must have no more than 100 employees and gross revenues of less than $10 million. This year’s award winners include a yoga studio, a bakery, an Arab film distributor, and more. (Pictured here are the owners of KOBO at Higo, a shop/gallery/meeting place in the International District, showcasing Japanese craftsmanship.)
Read the news release

Four times a year we award matching funds to neighborhood groups to carry out projects covering a diverse range of subjects – public art, race and social justice, youth development, and climate protection. This round we awarded more than $281,000 to 24 community organizations from throughout Seattle. The awards range from $2,100 to $15,000 and are matched with raised money, donated materials and volunteer labor. These awards recognize our neighborhoods' commitment and creativity in tackling a wide range of challenges. And the projects they undertake truly make a difference in people's lives.
Read the news release for complete list of recipients

Earlier this year I called on City employees and the public for help in creating a "Customer Bill of Rights" for people doing business with the City of Seattle, whether it's calling about a utility bill, requesting a service, reporting an abandoned vehicle, applying for a permit, or accessing any of the many other City services. More than 500 people responded and we used this input, guided by four principles of good customer service and now have a Bill of Rights that lets our customers know what they can expect when they contact us. It is being posted in community centers, neighborhood service centers, City office buildings and customer service centers. It's available in English, Vietnamese, Korean, Somali, Tagalog, Spanish and traditional Chinese. With a long-term goal of providing one phone number to call for all City services, this is a first step in improving efficiency and creating an open, responsive and accessible government that serves all of our customers.
Read more about the customer service initiative