City Council's Budget Basics
How the process works
Every September, the Council receives a proposed City budget from the Mayor, that the Council amends and adopts before sending it back to the Mayor for final approval.
From September through November, the Council focuses solely on the budget, holding a number of budget committee meetings and public hearings.
This webpage is meant to help you:
- Understand the budget process
- Explain how and when you can provide your feedback on the budget
- Provide one place for the latest budget information
Seattle follows a biennial (two-year) budget process in which the City Council approves funding for year one while endorsing the amounts for year two. The current biennium period is 2025-2026 (details will be available in the City’s Open Budget tool).
Budget Calendar and Key Dates
A PDF calendar of the full process is available to download.
Scheduled Budget Committee meetings:
- September 25 and 26 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- September 29 and 30 at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- October 7 @ 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Public Hearing
- Remote public comment begins at 1 p.m.
- In-person public comment begins at 5 p.m.
- October 8 @ 2 p.m.
- October 15, 16 and 17 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- October 20 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- October 28, 29 and 30 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- November 5 @ 9:30 a.m.
- November 6 @ 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Public Hearing
- Remote public comment begins at 1 p.m.
- In-person public comment begins at 5 p.m.
- November 14 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- November 17 @ 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- November 20 @ 9:30 a.m.
During public hearings or at meetings where oral public comment is on the agenda, sign up to speak on the Council’s Public Comment webpage:
Submit or Sign Up for Public Comment
How to Get Involved
There are three ways you can provide your input on the City budget:
- At Public Hearings
- At Budget Committee Meetings where oral public comment is on the agenda (see below)
- With Written Comment
Public hearings
The first way to provide your feedback is at a public hearing. There will be two public hearings on the budget. Everyone who signs up will get to speak.
October 7
- 1 p.m. - remote public comment begins
- 5 p.m. - in-person public comment begins
November 6
- 1 p.m. - remote public comment begins
- 5 p.m. - in-person public comment begins
In-person public comment
Register to speak on the public comment sign-up sheet located inside Council Chambers at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting. Speakers must be registered in order to be recognized by the Chair. More information will be provided ahead of the public hearing and on the agenda for the public hearing.
Remote public comment
Sign up to speak remotely at a public hearing Council’s Public Comment web page. The form will be available one hour before the start of the hearing. Speakers must be registered in order to be recognized by the Chair. All information entered into this form is subject to public disclosure. More information will be provided ahead of the public hearing and on the agenda for the public hearing.
Oral Public Comment at Committee Meetings
In addition to public hearings, oral public comment is accepted when noted on the agenda – generally the first meeting of each phase of the Council’s budget considerations. This year, oral public comment is scheduled at the beginning of meetings on the following dates:
- September 25 @ 9:30 a.m.
- October 8 @ 2 p.m.
- October 15 @ 9:30 a.m.
- October 28 @ 9:30 a.m.
- November 14 @ 9:30 a.m.
- November 21 @ 9:30 a.m.
To increase clarity and consistency, Councilmember Strauss, who chairs the Budget Committee, has created a standard formula for how much time individual commenters will get to make public comment.
If there are less than 30 people signed up, each person will receive two minutes to give public comment. If there are between 30-60 people signed up, each person will receive one minute. If there are more than 60 people signed up, the budget chair will adjust the time provided to allow for as much public comment as possible, while still ensuring the Council is able to conduct its business for the day.
Written Comment
Your written feedback is welcome – and encouraged – at anytime. You can email your Councilmember individually or send an email to all 9 Councilmembers.
Additional Process Details
The Council’s budget process happens in 3 stages over about 2 months.
Check out our helpful glossary of key budget terms.
1. Budget Hearings:
Department Presentations
To better understand the Mayor's proposed adjustments to the budget, the Council takes a closer look at many individual department budgets.
Central Staff Presentations
The Council delves deeper into department budgets with the help of their policy experts - Central Staff. Councilmembers raise questions and identify issues to address in the Council's budget.
2. Budget Deliberations: Councilmember Amendments
During this time in the process, councilmembers introduce and discuss their proposed amendments (changes) to the Mayor’s proposed budget. There are two types of budget amendments:
Council Budget Actions (CBAs)
CBAs change revenue, expenditures, staff positions, create provisos (restrictions that Council puts on funding to ensure funds are spent on a specific purpose) and other actions with financial implications.
Statements of Legislative Intent (SLIs)
SLIs state the Council's intent, gives guidance about City policy, call for additional study or reporting, etc.
3. Final Action: City Council Vote
The Council takes two final votes on its budget – the first vote as the Budget Committee, and the second final vote as the full City Council.
After the Council passes the budget, it’s passed along to the Mayor for their signature or veto.
Amendment Guide
After discussion of budget proposals during the week Oct. 28, Budget Chair Dan Strauss is scheduled to release a proposed balancing package at a meeting on Nov. 5. The balancing package is the initial full budget proposal from the City Council. It updates the Mayor’s proposal and incorporates amendments from Chair Strauss and his Council colleagues. A guide to follow the votes and status of each amendment will be available.
FOR MEDIA: Reporters on deadline who may need accurate vote counts or additional background on amendments, are encouraged to contact the Council Communications Team at CouncilComms@seattle.gov.