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Councilmember Strauss seeks levy funds to restore Seattle Parks’ environmental education staff
Summary
Amendment 6 would add roughly $679,000 a year to the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise levy to fully restore nine environmental education positions that current budget proposals had cut; supporters said the program delivers citywide youth field trips and volunteer‑led programming, while some councilmembers questioned whether the levy is
Councilmember Strauss proposed amendment 6 to the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise levy to restore Seattle Parks and Recreation’s environmental education program positions that are scheduled for reduction in the 2026 budget. Central staff explained the amendment would add $679,000 annually (approximately $4.1 million total over the levy term) and would increase the ordinance’s maximum tax rate entry as a placeholder (the final levy rate will be reconciled if multiple amendments change totals).
In briefing materials Jasmine Marwaha said the mayor’s proposal restored funding sufficient for some youth‑focused environmental learning staff but not the program’s full set of nine positions; the amendment would fully restore those nine historical positions and add environmental learning programs to the list of services the levy may support. Marwaha and Strauss noted the levy language lists illustrative, nonbinding examples of eligible services; final decisions would be made in DEEL’s implementation and evaluation (I&E) plan and during budget deliberations.
Public commenters and community supporters urged the committee to adopt the amendment. Remote commenter Bill Farmer described the program’s education work for Title I schools and families and urged full funding; Louise Coulter and others called for retaining positions that run youth field trips and public programming. “This provides outdoor learning in our local parks and has many mental health and physical health benefits,” Farmer said.
Councilmembers debated two questions: whether the levy is the appropriate funding vehicle for Parks staff and whether the amendment would expand the levy beyond its historical focus on direct services to children. Councilmember Kettle said restoring the full team is important for equity and volunteer coordination: the environmental education program depends on staff who recruit and supervise volunteers who deliver thousands of free volunteer hours. Councilmember Moore said the mayor and executive branch could also restore positions in the city budget and urged caution about increasing the levy size.
Strauss described program results and participation: Parks hosted thousands of students and dozens of public programs in recent years, with many participants drawn from underserved schools. Strauss asked members to weigh a modest levy increase against the program’s reach: he said the added revenue would equal about $2.13 per year for a median‑value property owner under the amendment’s estimate, and that the executive had already proposed a partial restoration.
The committee did not vote on the amendment. Staff reiterated that if the committee adds language or revenue, the final I&E plan will specify how funds are used and that the full Council will reconcile any tax‑rate changes after all amendments are decided.
