Governance, Accountability & Economic Development

Committee regular meeting days and time:

2nd and 4th Thursdays at 2 PM

Committee Members:

A Message from Chair Nelson:

The Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee will provide oversight of the offices that have traditionally reported to the Council President’s Governance Committee and those are:

  • Office of City Auditor
  • Civil Service Commission
  • Hearing Examiner
  • Legislative Department
  • Mayor’s Office
  • Office of Employee Ombud
  • Office of Intergovernmental Relations
  • Office of Labor Standards
  • Seattle Department of Human Resources
  • Ethics & Elections

We’ve added “Accountability” to the name of the committee and that provides a platform for this committee to examine the performance of existing programs or policies; bring emerging issues to the attention of departments under the purview of other committees; consider new policies, procedures, or legislation that will enhance the transparency and accountability of City government and policy making as a whole.

And finally, as a small business owner myself, economic development and supporting small business is near and dear to my heart so I’m keeping that body of policy work and my oversight of and partnership with the Office of Economic Development.

Committee Scope:

To provide policy direction and oversight and to deliberate and make recommendations on legislative matters relating to:

  • The Office of Economic Development; including policies and programs focused on small business development and support, Business Improvement Areas, Downtown recovery, workforce development, wealth generation in communities of color, key industry sector support, creative economy growth, and the Future of Seattle Economy investment agenda;

  • Enhancing oversight, accountability and transparency in City of Seattle government, including improving the efficiency, cost effectiveness and performance of City funded programs and services;

  • General government oversight, including the Office of City Auditor, Office of Hearing Examiner; the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, including regional, state, federal, and other governmental matters, Charter review, code improvement, and rules of the City Council; and

  • The Seattle Department of Human Resources, the Office of Labor Standards, Civil Service Commissions, the Office of the Employee Ombud and generally City personnel issues, including labor-management relations, collective bargaining agreements, and other issues related to salary rates, hours, and other conditions of employment.

City Council

Address: 600 Fourth Ave. 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34025, Seattle, WA , 98124-4025
Phone: (206) 684-8888
Phone Alt: Listen Line: (206) 684-8566
Fax: (206) 684-8587
Meet the Council

The Seattle City Council establishes City policy through enactment of ordinances (laws) and adoption of resolutions. The City Council also approves and adopts the City's budget. The nine Council members and their legislative assistants are part of the City of Seattle Legislative Department.