The City of Seattle unveiled a draft budget for fiscal year 2027‑28 that proposes higher allocations for the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Civilian Alternative Response (CARE) program, while simultaneously trimming overtime funding for the Seattle Fire Department. The reallocation is presented as a measure to address an anticipated municipal deficit.
Under the proposed plan, the police department would receive an increase in its operating budget measured in millions of dollars, though exact figures were not disclosed. The CARE program, a civilian‑led public‑safety initiative, would also see its funding rise by a comparable magnitude, reflecting the city’s intent to expand non‑law‑enforcement response options for certain calls.
Conversely, the fire department’s budget would be adjusted to reduce the amount earmarked for overtime. The cut targets the supplemental pay that firefighters receive for work beyond regular shifts, aiming to lower overall expenditures without affecting core staffing levels.
City officials framed the shift as a strategic response to a looming shortfall in the municipal budget. By redirecting resources toward police and civilian safety services while curbing fire overtime costs, the administration hopes to balance the books for the upcoming fiscal cycle.
The draft budget arrives amid broader discussions about public‑safety funding across Seattle. Stakeholders in law enforcement, fire protection and community‑based response programs will review the proposal as the city moves toward finalizing its financial plan for 2027‑28.
If adopted, the changes would mark a notable re‑prioritization of public‑safety spending, with the police and CARE program receiving additional support at the expense of reduced overtime compensation for firefighters, all intended to mitigate the projected deficit.