Mayor Harrell’s 2025-2026 Proposed Budget for Seattle IT

Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell is releasing the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget. In this budget, Mayor Harrell is continuing to make needed investments and take bold action to address the urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell's balanced budget proposal remains focused on strengthening public safety, creating housing affordability, and supporting healthy, vibrant, and thriving communities, while also responding to a $251 million general fund deficit with a balanced budget. The general fund deficit and fiscal position meant difficult choices that were not required in recent past budget cycles. The proposed budget seeks to continue to deliver positive progress, in addition to optimizing use of limited dollars toward key priorities and driving efficiencies.

With the investments in this budget proposal, we can work together to advance our shared One Seattle vision and an agenda that will inspire the best in our city and keep us moving forward.

Seattle Information Technology relies on revenues from cable franchise fees. As cable subscriptions have declined, so have cable franchise fees, and Seattle Information Technology's proposed budget and Cable Funded Programming are impacted as a result. A $2 million reduction for 2025 will result in the loss of six staff positions and eliminate some of the budget for replacement equipment.

The Seattle Channel is the City's Public, Education, and Government (PEG) channel. This type of municipal government channel receives funding from local cable companies and is required to cover local government through city council meetings and mayoral coverage. The Seattle Channel will continue to feature coverage of Seattle City Council meetings, public hearings, and Mayor press conferences. Depending on scheduling, live stream coverage may be impacted, with events recorded for future airtime.

However, the projected reductions will result in a decrease in original programming. These shows are supported by staff and freelance journalists and producers such as City Inside/Out, CityStream, ArtZone, Book Lust with Nancy Pearl, Community Stories, and more.

Seattle Channel team members not impacted by the reductions will continue to produce the high-quality level of television the Seattle Channel is known and respected for. While the programming may look different, the team will continue to provide content that reflects, informs, and inspires the community with a mix of news, analysis, stories, and perspectives not covered in traditional television stations.

Over the next two months, the City Council will review the Mayor's 2025-2026 Proposed Budget. Public hearings are on October 16 and November 12. Final adoption of the budget is expected on Tuesday, November 21. Read more about the Mayor's proposed budget here, and you can also direct any questions to [email protected].