Committee lays out 2025 finance and tribal-relations work plan; scheduling, budget reform and tribal summit flagged

Chair Dan Strauss convened the Seattle City Council Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee on Feb. 5, 2025, to review a proposed work plan for the coming year that covers finance measures, budget-process reforms and tribal-relations work including a planned Tribal Nations Summit.

The briefing, presented by Edin Sysich of central staff and Deputy Director Yolanda Ho, outlined near-term items that include a March consideration of a transportation levy proviso lift (holding levy proceeds above $89,000,000 until SDOT presents a funding plan), a March FAS director appointment, midyear supplemental budget timing, updates to the Seattle Municipal Code and several department-led pieces of legislation such as animal-code changes, fund transfers and a proposed predatory home-buying ordinance.

Why it matters: the committee's allocation of items between the standing finance committee and a revived Select Budget Committee will shape how and when council members and the public see budget details, timing for appropriations and how the council coordinates with the executive on program outcomes and staffing changes.

Key points from the briefing

- Transportation levy proviso and near-term schedule: Central staff said the transportation levy proviso that held amounts above $89,000,000 in abeyance will come…