Seattle City Council adopts 2026 budget, allocates $2.85 million for treatment and recovery programs
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Summary
The Seattle City Council on Nov. 21 adopted the 2026 operating and capital budget and related clerk file, approving funding priorities including $2,850,000 in new public-safety-tax revenue for treatment and recovery services. The vote on the budget was unanimous.
Seattle’s City Council on Nov. 21 voted to adopt the city’s 2026 budget and the 2026–2030 capital improvement program, enacting the package of changes the council made during the recent budget process.
Chair of the budget committee, Councilmember Strauss, described the ordinance as “enabling legislation” to put the council’s budget decisions into effect and urged colleagues to support it. The council adopted the budget by roll call; the clerk recorded nine votes in favor and none opposed.
The adopted package includes $2,850,000 in new public-safety-tax revenue directed to treatment and recovery services, with line items that include at least $250,000 for sober-housing stipends, $500,000 or more to nonprofits providing combined housing and comprehensive addiction treatment, and at least $500,000 to sustain a treatment pilot that helps case managers refer people into treatment directly. Strauss thanked staff and said the vote enacts decisions “we made during the budget process.”
Several councilmembers used the floor to emphasize longer-term fiscal sustainability. Councilmember Kettle said the budget is “balanced” but cautioned the council’s financial house remains “not in order,” noting structural headwinds in the maritime and real-estate sectors and urging continued work on revenue and reserve planning. Council President Nelson said the provisos and amendments preserved funding for outcomes prioritized by the council and highlighted investments in treatment and recovery.
The council also approved the clerk file documenting council changes to the budget and the proposed CIP (2026–2030) by unanimous roll call. Chair Strauss said the clerk file details the final packet of changes and thanked central staff and clerks for their work.
What’s next: The council’s action enacts the local budget, and city departments will begin implementing the approved allocations. Several councilmembers called for follow-up committee reviews in 2026 to assess fee schedules and program outcomes.
