During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant developments regarding the implementation of the Crisis Care Centers Levy and the staffing challenges within the City of SeaTac Police Department.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance the workforce, particularly through the establishment of therapeutic response units in King County. Currently, the county has hired a program manager and an assistant, with plans to recruit 6 to 8 mental health professionals to support the initiative. Training for these new hires is scheduled to begin in the next few weeks, focusing on collaboration and operational efficiencies as the Crisis Care Centers prepare to open.

Concerns were raised about the current staffing levels within the SeaTac Police Department, which is operating with 7 vacancies out of an allotted 50 full-time equivalents (FTEs). Six of these vacancies are in patrol, while one is a school resource officer position. The department is actively working to fill these roles, but the vacancies have implications for overtime costs, which were noted to be around half a million dollars annually.

Budget discussions revealed a projected decrease in the general fund for 2024, attributed to a reconciliation process that includes the removal of certain positions. However, officials indicated that the overall budget would see a net increase over the next two years, despite concerns about the sustainability of funding for police contracts, which are expected to rise by 4-8%.

Council members expressed the need for clarity in budget presentations, particularly regarding the use of restricted public safety funds and the rationale behind reductions in certain program areas, such as prostitution prevention. The council is set to explore options for increasing revenue or reducing expenditures in future workshops, emphasizing a commitment to fiscal responsibility while maintaining current staffing levels.

The meeting underscored the importance of transparency in budget management and the need for a detailed narrative to accompany budget documents, which would help align community priorities with financial planning.