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King County budget process
About the budget process
King County is shifting its biennial budget process. In 2022, voters approved an amendment to move elections for most County offices to even years. The aim is to increase voter participation. We're shifting our biennial budget development process to odd years so that it doesn’t overlap with elections for County offices. This allows our elected officials to better engage in the decision-making process.
The budget transition happens in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, King County will develop a 1-year transition budget for 2025. This will be our only 1-year budget. In 2025, we'll resume our biennial budget process, developing a budget for 2026-2027. The biennial budget process will continue in 2028-2029 and beyond.
2025 budget timeline
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April-June 2024
Agencies develop 2025 budget proposals. -
July-September 2024
Executive reviews agency proposals and develops the Executive proposed budget. -
September 2024
2025 Executive proposed budget transmits to the Council. -
October-November 2024
King County Council holds public hearings about the proposed budget, makes changes, and adopts the 2025 budget. -
January 1, 2025
2025 adopted budget goes into effect.
What does this mean for our partners?
We know this change will have impacts for our partners in neighboring jurisdictions and the community. Organizations that would like to advocate for funding from the County should work with agencies in:
- Late 2023 and early 2024 for the 2025 budget
- Late 2024 and early 2025 for the 2026-2027 budget
Organizations that receive funding from the County should anticipate:
- One year of funding in 2025
- Two years of funding in 2026-2027 and beyond
Jurisdictions that coordinate their rate setting processes with the County’s should consider reviewing their statutes and internal budget schedules to ensure there are no gaps.