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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Praises Back to Basics Budget Passed by City Council
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/18/2002 4:29:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Mayor Praises "Back to
Basics" Budget Passed by City Council
Seattle – Mayor Greg Nickels commended the Seattle City
Council today for passing a budget that brings stability to city finances during
the worst economic slowdown in 20 years.
"I want to thank the Council for passing a fiscally
responsible budget in a timely way. This budget changes the way the city does
business by doing more with less and by dealing with our budget problems without
one-time gimmicks," Nickels said.
The adopted budget totals $2.9 billion for 2003, with
approximately $640 million going into the city’s General Fund.
"Two months ago, we set out to cut overhead and
administrations, find efficiencies and get back to basics," the mayor said.
"We had to find ways to do things smarter, cheaper, better – and we did.
We were able to face hard facts and make necessary decisions, to show fiscal
discipline, and to work together – we got the job done."
Nickels observed putting together a nearly $3 billion
budget is difficult even in good economic times. The adopted budget by the
Council reflects changes of about one percent from the budget Nickels proposed
on Sept. 23. The Council restored some funding for health and human services
programs but accepted Nickels’ policy direction to make sure the city is
funding programs that can be sustained over time.
The budget includes renewed attention to basic services
such as public safety, transportation, help for homeless people, revitalizing
neighborhood businesses, streamlining construction permits, maintaining City
parks and adequately funding libraries.
Nickels said from the outset the ongoing recession
requires a fundamental change in how the city has done business, and how the
city looks at budgeting.
"This is a time for focusing on the city’s core
responsibilities – such as police, fire, water, parks and libraries – and
doing those things well. We have a choice: do certain things well, or try
to do everything and not do anything well. We’re going to get back to
basics and we’re going to do it well." Nickels said.
Nickels, who served as a member of the King County Council
for 14 years, talked about his previous experiences putting together budgets and
setting priorities.
"Budgets begin with the executive setting priorities
and laying out a vision. The Council then puts its mark on it, and the push and
pull of the budget process begins. In the end, the people benefit when you’re
able to move past the disagreements and reach consensus on the fundamental
priorities. That’s what we did today," Nickels said.
The budget makes no change in the business and occupation,
sales and other tax rates. The budget calls for adjustments in certain fees and
charges. To fund increased investment in flood protection, water quality,
replacement of transfer stations and improved maintenance of drainage and sewer
systems, the proposed budget increases drainage, wastewater and sold waste rates
by an average of 5.2 percent in 2003.
For detailed information, please visit the mayor’s Web
site at www.seattle.gov/mayor.
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Office of the Mayor
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