Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell is releasing the 2023-2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments. This budget reflects Mayor Harrell’s continued commitment to, and investment in, bold actions that address urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell’s proposal continues work initiated in the 2023 Adopted Budget to invest in creating safe, healthy, and thriving communities. This budget continues supporting efforts to deliver effective public safety, build affordable housing and address the homelessness crisis, activate our Downtown, and advance opportunity and equity for all.
With the investments in this budget proposal, we can work together to advance our shared One Seattle vision and an agenda that will inspire the best in our city and keep us moving forward.
For OPCD, key highlights included in the mayor’s proposed budget include:
- Regional Growth Center Plans: In order to remain in good standing with the Puget Sound Regional Council, maintain eligibility for regional transportation funds, and adequately plan for growth and investment in the six Regional Growth Centers as defined by PSRC, the City must complete six subarea plans by 2025. The 2023 Adopted and 2024 Endorsed budget included $650,000 of consultant services budget in 2023 to contract for the Downtown, Capitol Hill/First Hill, and Northgate plans; and an additional $400,000 of non-labor funds in 2024 to continue efforts to update the Uptown and South Lake Union plans. Our multi-phased approach to this work anticipates an additional budget request in 2025 to fund the University District subarea plan. Together, these plans will ensure that these regional centers remain eligible for regional transportation funds and will shape our strategies to support growth with equity and resilience over the long term.
- Equitable Development Initiative: The Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) is a centerpiece of the City’s strategy to reduce displacement pressures, increase access to economic mobility and opportunity, and enable equitable access to neighborhoods throughout Seattle. Mayor Harrell’s 2024 proposed budget increases funding for the EDI program to over $25 million in 2024, which is comprised of $5 million from Short-Term Rental Tax; $19.76 million of Payroll Expense Tax; and $430,000 of CDBG dollars. These funds will be used for a 2024 RFP that will support capacity building for organizations that are leading anti-displacement efforts and property acquisition by BIPOC-led community organizations.
The following is a summary of OPCD’s position changes in the 2023-2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments:
- New 1.0 finance analyst position to support the EDI and Finance teams.
- New 1.0 term-limited strategic advisor position to be a primary point of contact related to emerging work items around downtown activation for the next two years.
Over the next two months, the City Council will review the Mayor’s 2023-2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments. Public hearings are on October 18 and November 13. Final adoption of the budget is expected on Tuesday, November 21. Read more about the Mayor’s proposed budget here: https://harrell.seattle.gov/2023/09/26/mayor-harrell-announces-2024-budget-proposal/ and you can also direct any questions to MOS_COMMS@seattle.gov.