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Budget Committee
City Council Rolls out Major Budget Highlights
Final vote on the budget package set for Monday
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With her colleagues behind her, Budget Chair Jean Godden addresses the crowd at the Seattle Public Library during the Council's "Making Smart Choices” press conference on the budget. All nine Councilmembers were in attendance.
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With the final budget package up for a vote at Monday’s Full Council meeting, the Councilmembers held a press conference on Monday to share their key additions, restorations and savings in arriving at a 2010 balanced budget.
In keeping with their priorities which they outlined in a letter to the mayor in early August, the Council focused on human services, public safety and enhancing the Rainy Day Fund, and were able to make key investments in other critical areas including library funding, technology and neighborhood planning.
"This year we faced a difficult budget process. I want to thank my Council colleagues for pitching in, working hard and making the smart choices resulting in a balanced budget that put people first," said Council Budget Chair Jean Godden. "I'm proud that we were able to put money back into the Rainy Day Fund to ensure that we have a cushion for 2011 which promises to be another tough budget year."
Adding $5.2 million to the Rainy Day Fund brings the new total to $10.5 and puts the city in a stronger fiscal position.
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Councilmember Jan Drago drops coins into the giant piggy bank symbolizing the Council's commitment toward increasing the Rainy Day Fund.
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"I'm proud of the Council's work in making serious cuts without losing vital services -- and adding $5 million to the rainy day fund to ensure stability in 2011," said Council President Richard Conlin. "At the same time we stayed focused on economic recovery, environmental stewardship, and keeping faith with our neighborhoods. We demonstrated that commitment by restoring City Light conservation, key drainage projects, and critical neighborhood priorities while fully funding public safety and human services," he added.
Click here to view the City Council’s major highlights in the 2010 budget.
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