Seattle Council adopts budget carryforwards, approves exceptions and proclaims Seattle Storm Day

The Seattle City Council on June 23 unanimously approved two budget-related bills and adopted the consent calendar before moving to proclamations and executive session.

Council Bill 121208, described by staff as exceptions to the 2025 budget, included roughly $8.1 million in requested exceptions; staff said about $5.9 million of that total was to cover higher-than-expected medical and dental claims. The bill passed on a recorded roll call of seven in favor and none opposed.

Council Bill 121209 was reported as the 2026 carryforward appropriation, requesting approximately $138 million to re-appropriate unspent 2025 budget authority for projects still underway. Staff said the bulk of that carryforward funding would support equitable development initiatives and Office of Housing projects; that bill also passed unanimously.

Earlier the Council adopted the introduction/referral calendar and the consent (concept) calendar without objection. The meeting also included two honorary proclamations: Martha Newman Day (July 10, 2026) and Seattle Storm Day (June 26, 2026). Councilmember Sara Foster (identified in the transcript as the sponsor) and others praised the Storm’s community outreach and recent collective bargaining milestones.

Council President Joy Hollingsworth announced the meeting would move into an executive session to discuss pending and potential litigation and adjourned the open meeting at 3:34 p.m.