City of Seattle Mike McGinn, Mayor

Mayor Nickels' 2005 Budget Proposal
Reinstates Admissions Tax Funding for Arts & Culture

SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels' 2005-2006 budget proposal, presented today to the Seattle City Council, includes reinstatement of a percentage of the City's Admission Tax as a funding source for the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Under his plan, Arts & Cultural Affairs will receive 15 percent of eligible tax revenue in 2005, and return to a full 20 percent in 2006.

"Arts and culture are treasures we need to protect and preserve," said Mayor Nickels. "Reinstating the Admissions Tax offers us the opportunity to stabilize our investment, add to the richness and diversity of our city and improve our economy."

In 2001, 20 percent of eligible Admissions Tax revenue was dedicated to the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs (excluding the portion of revenue dedicated to retiring debt on professional sports stadiums in Seattle). That dedicated funding source was suspended for 2003 and 2004; the reduction was partially offset by a General Fund allocation. With those adjustments, the office absorbed a total cut of more than 25 percent.

"Reinstatement of Admissions Tax funding does not return the office's budget to the previous levels, but does allow us to stabilize our Civic Partnerships," said Michael Killoren, director of the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. " These programs invest in quality after-school Youth Arts training and innovative projects via our CityArtist program. They also leverage a spectacular array of programming by more than 90 cultural organizations of all types. Support for The VERA Project and "Hit the Beach" is maintained at current levels. In addition, our capacity to serve as an Arts Resource Network and catalyst for community arts development is further strengthened."

Office of Arts & 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Cultural Affairs Adopted Adopted Adopted Adopted Proposed

General Fund $2,174,723 $2,094,059 $2,370,992 $2,338,026 $1,819,653

Admissions Tax $1,032,000 $958,000 $0 $0 $750,000

Subtotal $3,206,723 $3,052,059 $2,370,992 $2,338,026 $2,569,653

Seattle Arts Commission chair Mark Charles Paben said, "We appreciate the vote of confidence represented by the Mayor's proposed budget. We look forward to working with him and the Seattle City Council to ensure that arts and cultural investments benefit all residents and communities in Seattle."

Throughout the budget process, the mayor focused on the four priorities of his administration: get Seattle moving; create jobs and opportunity for all; keep our neighborhood safe; and build strong families and healthy communities. By focusing on these priorities, the mayor has preserved the city's core services and invested wisely in the future.

The Mayor's budget speech will continue to be broadcast on the Seattle Channel (cable 21); schedule information is available at www.seattlechannel.org. The Mayor's proposed budget is available at www.seattle.gov/mayor. The Seattle City Council reviews the Mayor's proposal and approves a final budget by the end of November, and information about their process is available at www.seattle.gov/council.

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs promotes the value of arts and culture in and of communities throughout Seattle. The 15-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council, supports the City agency.

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