Council set to take up lifting of transportation levy proviso after select budget committee approval

Councilmembers reported progress this week on transportation funding and delivery accountability tied to the voter-approved levy.

Councilmember Strauss said the select budget committee last week passed legislation to lift a proviso on transportation levy funds and that the measure will come to a final vote at full council the following day. "At the select budget committee last week, we passed the legislation sponsored to lift the proviso on the transportation levy. This will come to a final vote at council tomorrow," Strauss said.

Transportation committee members also described the 2025 levy delivery plan and Vision Zero briefings they received. At least one councilmember characterized the delivery plan as the first of its kind in detail and praised the accountability it provides to voters; the select budget committee subsequently reviewed and unanimously approved the plan and the council planned to vote on related items at its next meeting.

Council committee agendas noted an upcoming briefing from Sound Transit, SDOT and SDCI on proposed light-rail expansion, and committee staff said some street permitting items would be considered time permitting. A councilmember representing the Sound Transit board was identified as the city's point of contact on regional light-rail decisions.

The briefing did not record a formal council tally for the proviso-lifting ordinance; the select budget committee approval was reported but individual committee votes were not detailed in the briefing transcript.