The budget climbs $1 billion (1991 to 2001)

Here's a snapshot of how much the city has spent each year since 1991. Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities account for the largest portion of the spending.

Source: city of Seattle

Where the money comes from

A comparison of city revenue sources in 1991 and 2000*.

* The city does not compile its revenues; figures are from the state Auditor's Office. Figure for 2000 were the latest available.
** Intergovernmental revenues include money from state, county and federal sources.

Spending increase by city departments, '91 to '01		City employment growth, '91 to '01
The city has boosted its general-fund spending* substantially for street repairs, parks and human services during the past decade. Public-safety departments, while the biggest portion of city spending, grew slowly over the same period.		While the police and fire departments grew modestly over the past decade, parks and human services grew more rapidly. Only City Light has fewer employees than it did in 1991.
* The general fund is the city's discretionary budget and does not include City Light or Seattle Public Utilities, which are funded by electric and water rates. This chart displays selected city departments.		* Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Transportation figures are estimates. Portions of each department were created when the city's engineering department was closed in 1997.

City debt soaring

City-debt payments are soaring as the bill comes due on construction of a new City Hall and Justice Center. These annual, mandatory payments are draining the general-fund budget. The chart does not include debt at City Light, Seattle Public Utilities or on voter-approved construction projects.

THE SEATTLE TIMES

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