Overall, the increase in general government expenditures exceeded inflation by an average of about 2.2% per year over the past five years.

• Public safety expenditures increased by $3.4 million less than inflation over the five-year period. This drop was caused by a change in categorization of $10.4 million in expenditures in 1995 away from public safety to general ($8.2 million) and to transportation ($2.2 million). After adjusting for this shift, public safety expenditures increased at roughly the rate of inflation from 1994 to1996, then exceeded inflation growth in 1997-98. These recent increases were reflective of negotiated labor agreements, overtime, and the transfer of the Emergency Management Section from the Executive Services Department to the Police Department.

• 1998 transportation expenditures were $2.1 million more than inflation-adjusted 1994 expenditures. Prior to 1997, transportation expenditures were declining in real terms due to declines in gas tax revenue and the loss of the street utility fee. In 1997, expenditures increased 14% when the City approved replacement funding to offset declines in other revenue sources.

• 1998 health, housing, and human services expenditures were lower than in 1994, even before adjusting for inflation. This decrease is partially caused by a change in categorization of $1.3 million in costs from this category to general costs. In 1997, expenditures increased by $9.0 million, mostly in the Low Income Housing Fund and Community Development Block Grant spending, but fell in 1998 to roughly 1994 levels.

• Culture and recreation 1998 expenditures were $7.2 million more than inflation-adjusted 1994 expenditures. Over this time period, several new community centers were opened, and the Parks Department began to manage the Seattle Conservation Corps.

• General, planning and development, and physical environment expenditures in 1998 were $21.9 million more than inflation-adjusted 1994 expenditures. Part of this increase is explained by the change in categorization of $8.2 million in costs in 1995 from public safety to general government, and an additional transfer of $1.3 million in costs in 1995 from the human services category to general. The remaining increase is a result of various changes, including developing a new financial management system that is year 2000 compliant, purchase of Key Tower and Park 90/5 property, increased costs at Sand Point, and implementing new neighborhood programs and projects.