Tonight: Discuss City Budget Crisis With Councilmember Jean Godden and Central Staff Director

We recieved this notice from Seattle Community Council Federation Treasurer, Chris Leman:

The Seattle Community Council Federation invites you to attend its monthly meeting tonightfrom 7-9pm at NOAA's Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union, 1801 Fairview Avenue East. Guest speakers will be during the first hour.

Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the City Council Budget Committee, and Dr. Ben Noble, Director of the City Council Central Staff, will update you about the city budget process and answer questions.

How will the City Council close the $67+ million budget shortfall? Will the Council agree with the Mayor's proposed tax and fee increases and cuts to essential services? Is there logic to the Mayor's proposed budget? Will the City lose neighborhood service centers and their District Coordinators? How can the City's neighborhood policing program function with the loss of crime prevention coordinators? Is it fair to target five of the City's 26 community centers for major cuts and closure? Are the cuts to the highly cost-effective Neighborhood Matching Fund reasonable? Will planned sidewalks go on the chopping block?

The budget that the City Council will adopt in November may be the most important for City government in a generation. Several statewide ballot measures on the November ballot could further reduce the available revenues, so City Council decisions are not yet solidified and YOU can make a difference.

Find out the latest and bring your issues and questions. Help decide what recommendations should go into the Federation's budget letter. See our blog for latest developments.

NOTE: As a federal facility on high security alert, NOAA requires that all attendees be on a list that we provide them beforehand Attendees must enter by the security gate (near the corner of Fairview Ave. E. and E. Blaine Street). Please also bring a photo ID. If you haven't attended a recent Federation meeting, please send your name, contact information, and address to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front.

The Seattle Community Council Federation is one of the nation's most active coalitions of neighborhood groups. Yearly dues for member groups are $50. SCCF welcomes new member groups, and encourages early renewal by existing member groups. Individual donations are also welcome and tax deductible, and go very far, as SCCF is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization. Mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310. For questions, contact SCCF Treasurer Chris Leman, (206) 322-5463, cleman@oo.net.