Specifically, the funding budget package included:   

• $1 million one-time surge to address the City Attorney’s Office inherited criminal case backlog. The funding would be used to prioritize crimes of domestic violence and other violent crime types. This investment was initially proposed by Councilmember Dionne Foster and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Eddie Lin and Alexis Mercedes-Rinck.   

• 2 new Assistant City Prosecutors to address incoming police report referrals on an ongoing basis, which is needed to limit a new backlog from growing again in the future. A budget investment in new prosecutors was initially proposed by Councilmember Bob Kettle and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Dan Strauss and Debora Juarez.  

• Funding to accelerate testing of backlogged DUI blood samples, which currently takes approximately 22 months to process at the State Toxicology Lab before a DUI criminal charge can be filed. The funds would be used to significantly accelerate the speed for prosecutors to get toxicology reports back to provide evidence to set cases for trial. This $277,000 investment was initially proposed by Councilmember Bob Kettle and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Dan Strauss and Debora Juarez.  

• In addition, Councilmember Strauss proposed $5 million to increase funding for gender-based violence supportive services, as part of Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck’s “Seattle Stands with Survivors, Every Step” campaign.   

City Attorney Erika Evans said,   

“These investments are about breaking Seattle’s long cycle of backlogs in misdemeanor court. Justice is denied when our victims, survivors, and our community wait nearly two years for a decision to be made on a police referral. That is unacceptable. These investments by the entire City Council send a clear message: No more. Justice requires the swift, fair, and effective administration of our criminal justice system. And every person in Seattle deserves to feel safe in their community. By investing in addressing our inherited backlog, hiring additional prosecutors will help prevent future backlogs from building. The balancing package also provides funding to implement the new DUI toxicology law that I traveled to Olympia five times to testify in support of this year. This will allow us to move DUI cases forward more quickly and strengthen accountability for impaired driving. These investments are the result of partnership and collaboration. They demonstrate what is possible when we work together as a city to make progress on the issues that matter most to the people of Seattle.   

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work in close partnership with our entire City Council to develop and advance these public safety investments. Every one of these new public safety priorities had majority Councilmember co-sponsorship, so to Councilmember Dionne Foster, Councilmember Bob Kettle, Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, Councilmember Dan Strauss, Councilmember Saka, Councilmember Eddie Lin, Council President Joy Hollingsworth, Councilmember Maritza Rivera, and Councilmember Debora Juarez: Thank you for your commitment to supporting crime victims, survivors, and building a safer and healthier Seattle. We are a world-class city. The people of Seattle deserve nothing less than a city where they feel safe, where justice is delivered swiftly, and where every person can thrive. It is a blessing to be part of that work alongside each one of you. Thank you.”  

Councilmember Strauss' proposed balancing package was unveiled at City Council's Budget Committee earlier today. City Council is hosting a public hearing on his proposed budget on Thursday, November 4. City Council is scheduled to take final action on the 2027–28 City budget on November 20.