Mayor Wilson’s 2027-2028 Proposed Budget focuses on providing responsible fiscal management of public funds for the people of Seattle. After years of unsustainable one-time fixes that did not address the deficit in future years, the Mayor’s first budget begins the important, necessary work of stabilizing Seattle’s budget so that we can continue to provide essential services to the people of this city.
The people of Seattle deserve good government that delivers a city that is safe, affordable, and inclusive for all of Seattle’s residents. Mayor Wilson’s 2027-2028 Proposed Budget is structured to provide it. The decisions made in this proposed budget are not easy and come amidst a difficult backdrop of an inherited ongoing General Fund deficit that is compounded by actions taken at the federal level. Mayor Wilson’s budget is intended to help Seattle residents build a resilient city and create the conditions for lasting prosperity by making real progress towards closing the deficit and breaking the cycle of annual budget crises.
For the Office of Sustainability & Environment, key highlights include:
Enhanced Food Access Support
Supporting food access and addressing rising food insecurity is a priority for Mayor Wilson and the proposed budget increases funding for:
- Continuing the 2026 expansion of the Fresh Bucks voucher program by including $6.3 million in ongoing General Fund funding. This funding supports more than 5,000 families and sustains an increased monthly benefit of $60.
- Universal school meals in Seattle Public Schools during the 2027-28 academic year with an additional $4.1 million from the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy.
Continued Green New Deal and Climate Programming
The proposed budget allocates $16.8 million in JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax funding to the Green New Deal across several city departments. For OSE, this includes continued funding for Building Emissions Performance Standard & Decarbonization Grants, Clean Heat, Clean Energy Apprenticeships, Duwamish Valley Program Youth Leadership, Urban Forestry investments, and the Environmental Justice Fund.
Next Steps
Over the next two months, the City Council will review Mayor Wilson’s 2027-2028 Proposed Budget. Public hearings are on October 6 and November 5. Final adoption of the budget is expected on November 20. Press questions may be directed to MOS_Comms@seattle.gov.
For more information on the proposed budget, read the Mayor’s press release here: Office of the Mayor – Mayor Katie B. Wilson