McGinn asks departments to list 2012 cuts

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn warned Tuesday that budget cuts will continue through 2012 as the economic recovery remains sluggish and state and federal officials pull back spending to local governments.

McGinn said he has asked the police, fire and human-services departments to suggest cuts of 3 to 6 percent for next year, while all other departments are expected to recommend cuts of 4 to 8 percent.

The mayor will consider those recommendations before submitting his budget to the City Council in September.

In another effort to save money, the mayor has asked Bernie Matsuno, acting director of the Department of Neighborhoods, to lead a feasibility study on consolidating or reorganizing five small departments, Neighborhoods, Economic Development, Housing, Sustainability and the Environment, and Arts and Culture. Her recommendations are due in June.

The mayor said each of the five departments has a public-outreach component and some potentially overlapping activities. Identifying efficiencies may allow the city to preserve some programs that might otherwise have to be scaled back or eliminated, he said.

"We cannot sit here with our current revenue base and say that we're going to be able to maintain all our existing services," McGinn said.

The announcement of expected 2012 budget cuts comes just a month after McGinn said city departments would need to identify midyear reductions of 3 percent. McGinn said he would take those recommendations and prioritize them to reach budget savings of about $17 million by July.

Seattle has cut its general-fund budget in each of the past three years. For 2011, the city closed a $67 million gap by cutting about 300 positions, reducing hours at community centers, cutting park maintenance, raising some fees and winning wage concessions from unions.

City Budget Director Beth Goldberg said the city also faces long-term financial challenges, including rising costs for employee health care and maintaining its retirement fund. The city also has deferred maintenance on roads and buildings.

City Council finance committee Chairwoman Jean Godden said the council is interested in the mayor's cost-cutting efforts.

"If consolidation can create a leaner, more efficient government, we'll want to go along with it. We need a sustainable budget that continues to deliver core services to the public," she said.

Lynn Thompson: 206-464-8305 or lthompson@seattletimes.com