The Seattle Select Budget Committee voted unanimously Nov. 20 to recommend the 2026 budget ordinance and a related set of council changes to the full City Council, advancing a package the chair said focuses on affordability, homelessness response, public safety and fiscal responsibility.

Chair Dan Strauss, who presided over the select committee, said the package before the committee reflects months of work and community engagement, including 17 committee meetings and two public hearings. "The budget that we're passing today focuses on affordability in the city, addressing homelessness, increasing public safety, building community between one another, and also fiscal responsibility," Strauss said.

Central staff reported they had compiled collective bargaining agreements, council budget actions and provisos into the official court file and found no further technical adjustments were required before the committee vote.

Key investments cited by committee members include expanded affordable-housing funding, rental-assistance and tenant-support programs, increased outreach and shelter protections, added 911 call takers and crisis response staff, and transportation and parks capital projects such as improvements at Lake Union Park and a new skate facility at Morgan Junction Park. Council member Sacca said the package incorporated many amendments and voter-driven revenue measures, noting the city used recent ballot measures to help backfill human services.

Council President Nelson highlighted two policy actions attached to the budget package: a directive (CBO 110s2) to report emergency response data for permanent supportive housing and a funding-priority request (OH009582) that asks the Office of Housing to prioritize recovery housing in the 2026 notice of funding availability. Nelson said the reporting request was motivated by a concern about overdose deaths in city-funded supportive housing: "In 2004, there were 191 overdose fatalities in permanent supportive housing. And in 2025, this year through September, there were 101 overdose fatalities," Nelson said, and urged staff to ensure services in funded facilities match the needs of residents.

Other elected members praised the collaborative process. Council member Hollingsworth singled out district investments in youth enrichment, parks and small-business supports; Council member Rink described specific allocations including funding for runaway-youth programs, expanded tenant services and ongoing support for immigrant and refugee services; and Council member Rivera stressed accountability and outcomes for funded programs.

Votes at a glance

- Council Bill 1211116 (2026 budget ordinance, including CIP and position changes): Committee recommendation to full council approved 9–0. Yes: Hollingsworth; Juarez; Kettle; Council President Nelson; Rink; DeVetta; Sacca; Solomon; Chair Strauss. Outcome: recommended to Nov. 21 City Council meeting.

- Clerk File 314546 (council changes to the 2026 proposed budget and 2026–2031 CIP): Committee recommendation to full council approved 9–0. Yes: Hollingsworth; Juarez; Kettle; Council President Nelson; Rink; Rivera; Saka; Solomon; Chair Strauss. Outcome: recommended to Nov. 21 City Council meeting.

What the committee noted about risks and next steps

Multiple members warned the package does not eliminate a multi-year structural shortfall. Council President Nelson and others pointed to a projected general-fund gap in 2027, and members asked for clearer outcome reporting on programs funded through the package. The committee also suspended rules so the two items will appear on the Nov. 21 full council agenda; the full council is scheduled to consider final adoption at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21, with verbal public comment accepted at that meeting and written comments allowed by email to the council clerk.

The committee adjourned after the votes and a brief acknowledgment of staff and community participants.