skip to main content
Metropolitan King County Council
516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-296-1000
Toll Free: 800-325-6165
TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024
Fax: 206-296-0198

council@kingcounty.gov
banner with photos of current councilmembers

Budget Calendar

Development and Adoption of the King County Budget

As a government that sets priorities and funds programs consistent with those priorities, the King County Council works year-round to develop the annual King County Budget.

After the Council receives the 2012 Executive Proposed Budget on Sept. 26, all nine Councilmembers will begin meeting as the Annual Budget Committee and hold three public hearings on the Executive's proposal. For eight intensive weeks, Councilmembers and staff scrutinize the details in budget proposal to find the greatest efficiencies and ensure the public's priorities are met.

The final Council spending plan, frequently referred to as the "budget striker," strikes out the language of the Executive's proposal and replaces it with the final ordinance the Council intends to adopt. Final Council adoption usually occurs on the last Monday before Thanksgiving.

BUDGET TIMELINE

Budget Preparation

Executive makes final decision on budget proposals for departments and general fund agencies

Budget Presentation

Monday, September 26, Executive presents his 2012 proposed budget to Council

Public Hearings

Thursday, October 13, 6:30 p.m. - Pacific Cascade Middle School, Commons, 24635 SE Issaquah Fall City Road, Issaquah, WA 98029

Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, Courtroom 3F
401 Fourth Avenue N, Kent, WA 98032

Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 p.m. - King County Courthouse, 10th Floor, Council Chambers
516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

All meetings and public hearings will be cablecast on King County Television

Deliberation

County Elected Officials Present Before Councilmembers:

Wednesday, September 28, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Budget and Fiscal Management Committee

Budget Panel Deliberations

General Government Panel
Tuesday, October 4, 11, 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Public Health & Safety Panel
Wednesday, October 5, 12, 19, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Physical Environment Panel
Thursday, October 6, 13, 20 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Reconciliation

Tuesday, October 25, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 27, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November, 9, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 10, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
 

Adoption

Thursday, November 17, 9:30 a.m. - Budget chair scheduled to submit final Council budget proposal ("budget striker")

Friday, November 18, 9:30 a.m.  - Budget Committee scheduled to adopt budget striker

Monday, November 21 - Council scheduled to adopt 2012 budget and campanion ordinances

Executive action   

Executive must take action within 10 days of budget adoption.