Seattle City Wire

Mayor Jenny Durkan signed the 2021 $6.5 billion budget in November after council members received an updated economic forecast showing an additional $57 million in revenue. 

"In the midst of an unprecedented year, we had to go through two budget cycles to both address the significant drop in revenue for 2020 and to plan for 2021," Durkan said in a November release. "I proposed, and the City Council adopted with few changes, a budget that makes truly historic investments in Seattle communities, lays the groundwork for an equitable recovery, and reflects our values for the future of Seattle."

According to the release, Durkan outlined four priorities in September: addressing homelessness and housing crisis, continuing to invest in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the largest-ever investment in racial equity and justice, and reimagining policing with advance public safety.

For the first time, the budget invests $100 million directly to communities of color, Durkan said in the release. It also addresses the needs of residents, businesses and workers needs around COVID-19. 

The spending plan also addressed policing, as the city and the nation continue to deal with calls for equal justice. 

"I look forward to working with the City Council and communities to chart the next chapters for increasing our investments in an equitable future, while also reimagining the work of the Seattle Police Department and creating alternative, community-based public safety models," Durkan said in the release.