Seattle Approves Significant Raises for City Employees and Police Amid Budget Concerns
The Seattle City Council unanimously approved raises for city workers and a tentative agreement for police officers, prompting discussions on budget deficits and police accountability.
- The Seattle City Council approved raises for about 11,000 city workers, including a suite of union contracts, with increases between 4% and 5% annually until 2026.
- A tentative agreement with the Seattle Police Officers Guild proposes 23% raises for entry-level officers, potentially making them the highest paid in Washington state.
- The raises are retroactive to 2023, intensifying the city's budget deficit concerns, projected to grow from $230 million to $240 million next year.
- Council discussions highlighted the need for increased tax revenue and budgetary adjustments to accommodate the raises amid structural budget issues.
- The police contract's impact on police accountability and recruitment efforts is under scrutiny, with federal oversight and community concerns about the balance between compensation and accountability measures.
The Seattle Times 
The Stranger 
