Bellevue City Council Approves 9 Amendments To 2021-22 Budget

BELLEVUE, WA — The Bellevue City Council this week approved nine amendments to the proposed 2021-22 budget, funded through a mixture of the city's contingency funds, transportation levies and adjustments to the timing capital investments, along with one increase in fees.

In a news release, the city outlined the amendments passed as follows:

• Vision Zero timing – adjusts the timing of funding for the Vision Zero Rapid Build Data Driven Safety Program project to support earlier and more consistent action throughout the CIP.
• Growth Corridor pedestrian and bike project – also adjusts the timing of the Growth Corridor High Comfort Bicycle Network Implementation project to dedicate more funds in 2021 to allow for design and potential grants to occur more quickly.
• Communities of Color Coordinating Team – allocates $150,000 for implementing a community-led and staff-supported effort to advance racial equity in Bellevue.
• Enhanced Stakeholder Group/Public Engagement for Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI) – earmarks $20,000 in funds to utilize the specialized expertise and knowledge of engaged stakeholder groups that can assist with achieving the goals of Bellevue’s ESI.
• ESI Rapid Early Win Actions – adds $100,000 in 2021 and 2022 to the Capital Investment Program (CIP) for ESI Implementation.
• Bellevue Chamber/Bellevue Downtown Association Support – provides $20,000 in funding to both organizations to supplement the city's vital public services in the promoting and advocating for our most vulnerable small businesses and nonprofits.
• Bellevue College Connector – dedicates $100,000 to continued work with King County Metro and Bellevue College on next steps for this mobility project.
• Cross-Cultural Center Feasibility Study – provides $200,000 in funding for the next phase of the cross-cultural feasibility study, including strategic visioning and city master planning integration, partnership assessment and financing.
• Fire Training Admin. Assistant – restores this full-time position and associated expenditures in the Fire Department budget, offset by a revenue increase in the Basic Life Support fee.

The council also voted to approve grant funding for 45 artists and organizations, for a total of $145,00. According to the city, the grants are meant to support arts events and programming for more than 1.2 million residents and visitors projected in 2021. Funds will also help pay for free and reduced admission and more than 10,000 youth scholarships and education programs.

A final discussion and vote on the budget are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14.