Buckle Up for Budgeting

Policies and proposals are only as good as the dollars attached to them. The City is now about half-way through their budgeting season. But it's NOT too late to chime in. Here's a handy resource guide to help you make the most of your remaining input opportunities. 

Mayor Wilson's 2027-2028 Proposed Budget

2027-2028 Proposed Budget Summary

How to Understand the Budget

We get it! The budget's alot to take in. City Council gets that too. That's why the city departments and central staff present briefings to them so they (and we) can better understand the policy implications and tradeoffs in the budget. You can find all these briefings on the Seattle Channel on the Select Budget Committee's PLAYLIST. A few of the more popular briefings provided so far are highlighted below. Keep an eye out for new postings.

Oct 15   |    Seattle Police Department Briefing 

Oct 15   |    SFD, CARE, HSD, and UCT Briefing 

Oct 14   |    SDOT Briefing

How to Provide Input on the Budget

You can provide input by making public comment. It's quick and easy. There are 3-ways to make public comment:

• Written comment to City Council Member(s)

• Remote live comment at Council Mtgs
• In-person live comment at Council Mtgs

Consider engaging with your Council Representative, members of the Select Budget Committee, and/or the chair and members of the relevant standing subcommittee on the topic.

When to Provide Input

It's important to understand the Budget Calendar (below) in order to optimize the impact of your input. You can submit written comment anytime. Some of the key remaining remote and in-person input opportunities are highlighted below. You can find much of this calendar on the City Council's Budgeting Basics webpage. PLEASE NOTE: the schedule is subject to change. Be sure to check the Select Budget Committee's calendar and agendas HERE and the full City Council's calendar and agendas HERE for the most up to date information.  

Sep 22  |    Mayor's budget transmitted to City Council

Sept 24 |    City Budget Office and Department Presentations

Sept 25 |    City Budget Office and Department Presentations

Sept 28 |    City Budget Office and Department Presentations

Sept 29 |    City Budget Office and Department Presentations

Oct 6     |    Public Hearing #1, City Hall, Council Chambers or virtually

Oct 13   |    Central Staff presentations on policy considerations 

Oct 14   |    Central Staff presentations on policy considerations

Oct 15   |    Central Staff presentations on policy considerations

Oct 16   |    Central Staff presentations on policy considerations

Oct 16   |    Revenue Forecast Council Update

Oct  20  |    Council members proposals due

Oct 27   |    Public comment relevant to meeting agenda items below, 9:30 am

Oct 27   |    Discussion councilmembers budget proposals & amendments, 9:30 am

Oct 28   |    Discussion of councilmembers budget proposals & amendments, 9:30 am

Oct 29   |    Discussion of councilmembers budget proposals & amendments, 9:30 am

Nov  3   |    Select Budget Committee Chair balancing package published

Nov  4    |    Select Budget Committee Chair presents balancing package, 9:30 am 

Nov 5    |    Public Hearing #2, Remote Virtual Comment, 1 pm

Nov 5    |    Public Hearing #2, In person  Comment, City Hall, 5 pm

Nov 13  |    Public comment relevant to Voting Session agenda items below, 9:30 am

Nov 13  |    Select Budget Committee Voting Session, 9:30 am

Nov 16  |    Select Budget Committee Voting Session, 9:30 am

Nov 19  |    Select Budget Committee Voting Session, 9:30 am

Nov 20  |   Public comment relevant to meeting agenda items below, 1 pm

Nov 20  |    Special full City Council Meeting, Final Vote, 1 pm

How to Dig Into the Budget

The City Council and several non-profit organizations have been sharing out some great resources to help you dig deeper into and make more sense of the budget and budgeting process.  Here are a few we found helpful.

Seattle City Council Budget Basics

A quick, handy overivew, including a downloadable flyer, of the budgeting process, schedule, and how you can provide input. 

Making "Cents" of Seattle's Budget

A one-hour webinar produced by the Downtown Community Council providing an overview of the budgeting process, city finances, and when and how to engage on budget issues. 

What's Actually in Seattle's $9.1b Budget?

ForSeattle.org has been diving deep into the budget and writing some great articles and analysis over on Substack. You can join their Substack and weekly mailing list HERE.

 The DCC is a 100% volunteer-powered, donation-supported organization. Your tax deductible contributions improve our neighborhood by supporting the info-sharing, advocacy, and community building initiatives you see here.