Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has unveiled her inaugural proposed two-year city budget for the 2027-2028 biennium, establishing public safety as the primary cornerstone of municipal spending while closing a massive project deficit without raising new taxes.
The $9.1 billion spending plan for 2027 represents a 2.2% increase over 2026 and marks a notable tactical shift for the administration.
Under the proposal, public safety would see the largest percentage increase of any city service area, with funding increasing by 13% to approximately $1.135 billion. It would account for 53% of the general fund’s roughly $2 billion in spending.
With its budget expanding by $68 million to reach $556 million, the Seattle Police Department stands as the primary beneficiary of this proposal.
The funding increase will cover 1,250 police officer positions, representing a net gain of 66 funded roles compared with current staffing levels.
The department’s recruitment pipeline currently includes approximately 3000 applicants, according to Wilson.
The broader public safety package also directs $346 million to the Seattle Fire Department, $72.6 million to the civilian CARE Department, and $14.8 million to maintain police accountability oversight.
To balance the budget and project a $15.1 million surplus in 2028 without tapping into rainy-day reserves, the administration mapped out a combination of spending reallocations, higher tax projections, and targeted position reductions.
The plan includes $90 million in cuts and transfers, highlighted by a one-time $65 million transfer from the 2026 Office Housing budget alongside an expected $58 million surge in JumpStart payroll tax receipts.
Additionally, the budget eliminates 128 full-time equivalent positions citywide. However, because 113 of those roles are long-term vacancies, only 15 filled jobs will be cut, and new additions in other divisions will result in a net gain in overall city staffing.
Operational reductions will be felt across several departments, including Human Services, Emergency Management, Sustainability and Environment, and Fire Department overtime.
Despite reductions in other administrative areas, the budget reserves $500 million for affordable housing, tenant support, and homelessness services. $185.5 million has been allocated specifically to homelessness response, setting a goal to add 1,000 shelter units by the end of 2027 while maintaining 1,750 existing units annually.
The proposal further provides $57 million for food security, $185 million for youth programming, and capital for two new public restrooms in Rainer Valley and northwest Seattle.
Seattle council members will review Wilson’s budget with debates over taxes, jobs, homelessness, and public safety.
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