The Seattle Great Wheel on the downtown waterfront at sunset

The City of Seattle and its more than 13,000 employees build and maintain infrastructure, protect public safety, provide utility services, offer supportive services, and create recreational, cultural, and other enriching opportunities for our residents. Budgeting for a large organization with many functions is a complex process. The City Budget Office leverages economic forecasts, monitors spending, and supports the Mayor to build a balanced budget depending on available resources and projected costs.

The budget includes two main documents: the operating budget and the capital improvement program budget. The operating budget includes the funding required to deliver day-to-day City services. The capital improvement program budget includes funding to support infrastructure and other capital projects, such as road maintenance, repairs for City-owned buildings, utility infrastructure improvements, and more.

City of Seattle Budget Process

The City of 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. 2024 is year two of the current biennium period. The next biennium period is 2025-2026.

Jan.-Aug.

Budget monitoring and development

  • City Budget Office monitors current budget and spending

  • City Budget Office gives budget guidance to departments based on revenue forecasts and other factors

  • Departments develop proposed budgets; City Budget Office supports Mayor to build the full budget based on proposals

Sept.

Mayor proposes budget

  • Mayor announces proposed budget, usually in late September

  • City Budget Office publishes proposed budget documents

Oct.-Nov.

City Council budget deliberations

  • Seattle City Council considers the proposed budget and holds public hearings

  • Councilmembers propose and vote on amendments

Nov.-Dec.

City Council approves final budget

  • Seattle City Council votes to approve the budget, usually in late November

  • Mayor can choose to approve the Council’s budget, veto it, or let it become law without mayoral signature

  • Per state law, budget must be adopted by December 2 (30 days before the fiscal year)

Budget Office

Dan Eder, Acting Director
Address: 600 4th Ave, Floor 6, Seattle, WA, 98124
Mailing Address: PO Box 94747, Seattle, WA, 98124-4747
Phone: (206) 615-1962
Fax: (206) 233-0022
CBO@seattle.gov

City Budget Office oversees all aspect of the city's budget. The web site includes current and archived budgets, capital improvement programs, economic updates and other related information.