Mid-Biennium Budget Update
Every two years, we adopt a new budget document that reflects the City’s priorities and community needs. Our current budget covers the years 2025 and 2026. Between the two years, we undergo an amendment process to make any necessary adjustments. We heard the first of several presentations on the 2026 mid-biennium budget process at our meeting on October 6, and there will be two public hearings coming up on November 3 and 17. We encourage you to follow along with the process and participate in these opportunities to provide feedback.
Staying Connected and Engaged
No matter what you’re passionate about in the community – whether it’s pedestrian safety, healthy food access, protecting the environment, or improving playgrounds – there’s a good chance your City is working on something you’re interested in right now. We have a purpose-built online engagement platform where you can find regular updates on multiple active projects, learn about upcoming engagement events, and provide feedback. You can explore what’s new at connect.burienwa.gov.
Celebrating Burien
This year, we’ve sponsored about two dozen proclamations honoring the people, cultures, and traditions that make Burien a wonderful place to live and work. Those who’ve joined us to accept these proclamations have shared powerful stories of resilience, hope, joy, and community strength.
We’ve also attended countless local events and shared some of those experiences during our Council Reports. The fact that we can report on new events year-round is a testament to how vibrant and active our city is. One hallmark of Burien events is inclusion, and that was on full display during September’s Welcoming Burien event in Town Square Park. We encourage you to save a copy of the annual events calendar and learn about all the great events happening this fall. We might just see you there!
Get involved
We encourage Burien residents to understand and follow the business of the City as well as provide meaningful input.
- Attend City Council meetings in person at Burien City Hall, via Zoom, on Channel 21, or stream online. Watch for scheduled public meetings or public hearings on specific projects and topics at burienwa.gov/calendar
- Share your thoughts with the City Council at council@burienwa.gov or to each councilmember’s email address, which can be found at burienwa.gov/council
- Watch live and past City Council meetings at burienwa.gov/tv
- Sign up one hour before each City Council meeting to speak to the City Council virtually or in person during public comment at burienwa.gov/PublicComment
- Visit the Burien Community Hub, an online community engagement platform where you can learn about and participate in current planning efforts, at connect.burienwa.gov
As the City's governing body, Burien's seven elected City Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, contract for services, and grant franchises. City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are "at-large" meaning that they serve the City as a whole as opposed to a specific district.
The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year following an election. The Mayor presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental meetings. The Deputy Mayor presides in the Mayor's absence.
