On March 26, Council held its first budget workshop for the 2019-2020 Budget in which staff updated the Council on the process, timelines, budget survey topline results, the current fiscal condition of the General Fund and General 2019-2025 Capital Investment Program (CIP) and provided an overview on the Utilities Financial policies and 2019 and 2020 early rates. On October 15, the City Council was presented the 2019-2020 Preliminary Budget and the 2019-2020 Capital Investment Program (CIP) Plan. October 15 is the first of several meetings with the council for review, deliberation and adoption of the 2019-2020 Operating Budget and the 2019-2025 CIP Plan. Council agenda materials can be found on the Council Agenda Meeting Materials site.
The 2019-2020 budget process includes options for public engagement. Below is a status of each engagement option:
Business Survey
The city conducted a business survey in 2015 for the first time. It will be done every other year. The survey addresses Bellevue's key metrics, attitudes about operating and owning a business, starting a business, and questions relating to taxation.
Publish Date: August 2017
Materials: 2017 Business Survey
Budget Survey
In preparation for the new budget, the City conducted a budget survey. The survey was designed to provide a statistically valid tool to enhance the City’s knowledge of residents’ perceptions about the City and to better understand community priorities and expectations regarding City services. This survey has been conducted every other year since 1998.
Materials: 2018 Budget Survey
Performance Survey
The city conducts a performance survey annually to measure the performance of the city. The methodology for the Performance Survey is the same as in the Budget Survey.
Publish Date: Estimated Q3 2018
Public Hearings
The City Council will hold three public hearings on the 2019-2020 budget to provide stakeholders multiple opportunities to officially comment on the operating and capital budgets. Two public hearings, one in June and the other in August, are held prior to the submission of the Preliminary Budget to the Council, and offer residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to let the Council know what issues are important to them. The third hearing, in November after the Council receives the Preliminary Budget, provides interested parties the chance to address new budget proposals and comment on significant budget issues.
Public hearings are planned for the following dates:
- 1st Public Hearing - June 4th
- 2nd Public Hearing - August 6th
- Final Public Hearing - November 19th
Public Comment
The public is welcomed to speak during public comment periods at all regular Council meetings.
Date: All Council Meetings
Materials: Council Agendas
Boards and Commissions
Five city boards and commissions provide input on the budget process:
- Transportation Commission - provides funding recommendations on the Capital Investment Program (CIP) budget.
- Environmental Services Commission - provides funding recommendations on both the operating and CIP Utilities budgets as well as rate recommendations.
- Parks & Community Services Board - provides funding recommendations on the CIP budget.
- Human Services Commission - provides funding recommendations on allocations to human services (City/CDBG) agencies.
- Arts Commission - provides funding recommendations on arts acquisitions as well as allocations to arts groups.
E-mail/Contact Finance
- Presentations to Neighborhood Groups, Business Associations and Others:
The Finance Department will give presentations about the budget upon request to any group. Please contact us by phone, 425-452-5281, or email FAM@bellevuewa.gov
- Information Provided Upon Request:
The Finance Department responds to any communication received regarding the budget process. Please contact us by phone, 425-452-5281, or email FAM@bellevuewa.gov.