[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6291537,"mediaKeyId","2529966-bb89429f1906f017854b01561ca0a88a","parentId",2529966,"title","Select Budget Committee lifts $89 million transportation levy proviso after SDOT presents 2025 delivery plan; vote 8-0","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",213000,"endMs",7409,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529966-bb89429f1906f017854b01561ca0a88a&start=213&end=7","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529966-bb89429f1906f017854b01561ca0a88a/thumbnail_213000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291537/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Select-Budget-Committee-lifts-89-million-transportation-levy-proviso-after-SDOT-presents-2025-delivery-plan-vote-8-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291537-275c2e86857a93ff639501083a9e3c34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770926937&Signature=hOVqLY48SK5NC65croAtW1LJ~rdZtPP80K-vJb4H3dHXv6blBo6tXYorqVeC-YWwV~3429Q32Qa8mWInwLtW6wy5pWdN943bljBCpig9Fa3BJyMRICroLgc1ItTA4PXXj-VV5ha3z7u~DZNTlM5qG6O7-tzrJ0OrsWM5xkict586iHOIaZkB-~qctAa0iMFoHb2qM5vZEjx3JewVFwzRmVdZ45lmrzP4TSS4nLaRwmnRJGMgCdxYnRwYvCv0mCCajCAjGhWKdXBRBdCPNeA4RvM-K8JwOt5XmcdRTYy4go2JUOSlglPK8lK8nqo96CoFllb~sMygIjXk8HOzVLGo-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seattle City, WA","date","2025-03-09T20:30:30.437Z","article","The Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee voted 8-0 on March 5 to recommend passage of Council Bill 120946, which lifts a budget proviso that had withheld $89,000,000 of 2025 transportation levy funds pending council authorization.

Chair Dan Strauss said the proviso had been placed in the 2025 budget to give the council additional budget oversight while SDOT developed a delivery plan. Calvin Chow of Council Central Staff summarized the legislative background: the levy includes an annual delivery plan requirement and an initial proviso that held roughly half of the 2025 levy appropriations until the council could review SDOT’s proposed spend plan.

SDOT staff presented the 2025 levy delivery plan and explained how projects were selected. SDOT officials said the plan contains more than 400 projects across 11 categories, including Vision Zero safety projects (corridor and spot safety work), Safe Routes to School, sidewalk construction and repairs, street maintenance and modernization, bridges and structures work, transit corridor improvements, signals and operations, bicycle network work, people streets and public spaces, climate resiliency including electrification, freight and goods movement, and governance and equitable implementation. Francisca Stephan (SDOT) said the plan includes both large, multi-year projects and smaller, near-term work, and noted that some maintenance and operations activities began immediately on Jan. 1 when levy collections started.

Public commenters urged the committee to approve the spend plan with minimal council interference. Clara Kantor, speaking for the Levy Oversight Committee, told the committee members the levy had passed with “67 percent support from over 260,000 Seattle voters” and asked council to avoid shifting funds away from projects prioritized by SDOT’s equity, safety and mobility filters. Community organizer Cecilia Black and Beacon Hill resident Dan Rounds also urged the committee to approve the plan and to prioritize sidewalks that connect people to transit.

Committee members pressed SDOT on several implementation issues. Councilmember Dan Saka praised the plan’s detail and emphasized the need to staff up to deliver projects; SDOT said it was actively filling vacancies and initiating hiring processes for new positions authorizsed in budget actions, and that some roles require job-classification work with central HR. Members asked about dependencies on grant funding (several large corridor and pavement projects have federal or state grant components) and the potential cost impacts of broader trade tensions. SDOT staff said most project cost risk relates to specific components (for example, steel for signals and poles) rather than bulk pavement materials; they said they will monitor bids and market changes and adjust scopes or timing if necessary.

SDOT highlighted several specific commitments and figures inside the plan: the delivery plan documents more than 400 projects; the accelerated sidewalk program aims for about 350 blocks of new sidewalk (roughly 250 of those in the plan’s first four years); the department has identified about 100 locations for leading pedestrian intervals; and the levy includes funds for bridge and structure maintenance, inspections (including area-way inspections), and preventative maintenance. Calvin Chow also noted the levy’s implementing language allows adjustments of total appropriations by up to 10% by ordinance after the levy oversight committee has been given an opportunity to comment; changes above 10% would require a three-fourths vote of council.

Councilmembers said they expect regular updates. Several members asked that SDOT and central staff provide periodic checkpoints on project progress, emerging bid-cost changes, and hiring for implementation capacity; SDOT agreed to regular reporting via the levy dashboard and engagement with the yet-to-be-established levy oversight committee. SDOT also described the Transportation Funding Task Force called for in levy materials; staff said the task force procurement and start are planned for June 1, 2025, with a final report due at the end of 2027.

After discussion Chair Strauss moved the bill to lift the proviso; Councilmember Lisa Rink seconded. The clerk called the roll and the committee recorded the following votes: Councilmember Dan Saka, aye; Councilmember Hollingsworth, aye; Councilmember Andrew Kettle, aye; Councilmember Lisa Moore, aye; Council President Nelson, aye; Councilmember Lisa Rink, aye; Vice Chair Teresa Rivera, aye; Chair Dan Strauss, aye. The motion carried 8-0; the committee’s recommendation that the bill pass will be sent to the March 11 City Council meeting.

The presentation and vote conclude this Select Budget Committee consideration. Committee members and SDOT staff emphasized that, while the delivery plan includes detailed listings of projects in different stages (planning, design, construction), inclusion on the list does not guarantee immediate construction; many items remain in planning and will proceed into later years. Members requested continued transparency and timely reporting to avoid unintended delays that could reduce the levy’s effectiveness.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Select Budget Committee March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee voted 8-0 on March 5 to recommend lifting a proviso that had withheld $89,000,000 of 2025 transportation levy funds after SDOT presented a detailed 2025 delivery plan covering more than 400 projects.","taxTitle","Seattle, King County, Washington","taxId",2543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6291542,"Council committee hears introductory briefing for Kirsten Grove, nominee for director of Finance and Administrative Services",964,468000,1432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529966-bb89429f1906f017854b01561ca0a88a&start=468&end=1432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529966-bb89429f1906f017854b01561ca0a88a/thumbnail_468000.jpg","/articles/6291542/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Council-committee-hears-introductory-briefing-for-Kirsten-Grove-nominee-for-director-of-Finance-and-Administrative-Services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291542-eb5d9c057b08186bdfbe5304d7e33922/orig.mp4?Expires=1770926937&Signature=HO3CMIbm4lsXdBL1cqW32xpiUDTZvocA~OkLuGmkhfqYBNCJtwUFSGcPq~N8udt1Og3HEXPKkc6qVxJ8OSbp7Sjde4khE2bMktXW6gPpESnG1-XCQmBbeesS601XOU97KGm6KAoGxyp2s2ROmfHOobr06avoHesjOmyJs8OPHwXHcIefnK~bnJNVwkkh1-Jc1SLCCgAsJtpOzVdi0UnkLk2FIJV4Q-bGpIwG~ri08FtBy0nHfff1sLte5wwZX9D~vsZB9CXmCobJcgqIH8ISfXiX6AFEkPIZKQPlhKMw80rnPu7yq7thAlYHmkztg~v-zjd7LIJnye9582qeb8lKLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kirsten Grove, the interim director of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, appeared before the Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee on March 5 for an informational briefing ahead of her formal appointment process.

The presentation, introduced by Marco Lowe, chief operating officer in Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office, summarized Grove’s 13 years with the city, her five years in FAS leadership (including serving as deputy director and acting director since 2023), and a portfolio of FAS responsibilities from facilities and fleet management to customer service centers and the city’s animal shelter. Grove told the committee, “FAS plays a key role in almost every aspect of city service,” and described several ongoing programs including the citywide women- and minority-owned business program, outreach to small businesses, and recent steps on fleet electrification.

The appearance was a short, introductory session; Chair Dan Strauss said the item was allotted 10 minutes and that committee members must submit any formal questions for Grove’s appointment packet by 5 p.m. the same day. Grove said she will return to the committee for a fuller Q&A and confirmation discussion at the March 19 meeting.

Committee members used the briefing to highlight items they expect to probe during the confirmation process and to offer brief praise. Vice Chair Teresa Rivera said she had previously worked with Grove and called her “a diligent, highly capable and dedicated public servant.” Councilmember Dan Strauss and others thanked FAS staff for work at neighborhood customer service centers and for programs such as passport processing and recent free pet vaccination clinics. Grove told members FAS has a team of “almost 500 employees” and referenced accomplishments including placing the city’s 500th electric vehicle into service and reducing fuel use by “over 500,000 gallons.”

Members asked for follow-up on several items raised in the briefing. Council President Nelson asked Grove to describe how FAS helps women- and minority-owned businesses secure city contracts; Grove said FAS runs office hours with community partners such as Tabor 100 and organizes meet-and-greets with sister departments to connect small businesses to prime and subconsultant opportunities. Councilmember Andrew Kettle asked about memorial and security issues at Benaroya Hall; Grove said the department would follow up. Several members requested updates on the city’s community service centers and welcomed continued coordination with FAS on local office operations.

No committee vote was taken on the nomination during this informational session. The committee record notes that formal questions for the appointment packet were due by 5 p.m. on March 5 and that Grove will return on March 19 for additional questioning and the confirmation process.","Kirsten Grove, the interim director of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, appeared before the Seattle City Council Select Budget Committee on March 5 for an informational briefing ahead of her formal appointment process.","actionData","errors"]

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Select Budget Committee lifts $89 million transportation levy proviso after SDOT presents 2025 delivery plan; vote 8-0

Council committee hears introductory briefing for Kirsten Grove, nominee for director of Finance and Administrative Services