Over these past few months, we have faced big decisions, participated in meaningful discussions, and celebrated significant milestones.
We recently adopted our Burien 2044 Comprehensive Plan, which will help guide our city’s growth for the next two decades. Along with the Comprehensive Plan, we also approved community plans designed to encourage more walkable and transit-friendly neighborhoods and thriving business districts along the Ambaum Boulevard corridor and Boulevard Park area. Our newly adopted Transportation Master Plan will help us make smart investments in current and future transportation needs for the next 20 years.
These accomplishments represent at least two years of stakeholder engagement and hard work by staff during our “Shape Your City” initiative to re-imagine Burien’s future through a coordinated planning effort. Earlier this year, we approved two more plans we worked on under the Shape Your City banner: an update to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and a new Economic Development Action Plan. Thank you to all of the community members who supported these efforts and participated in open houses, advisory groups, surveys, public comment, and in sending feedback.
But plans don’t do anything if they just sit on a shelf. We’ve immediately jumped into implementation, amending our Multifamily Tax Exemption Program, zoning and design standards codes, and planned action ordinances to streamline permit review processes. We’re also looking at updating our housing regulations to plan for and accommodate housing that is affordable to all income levels.
After an update in October, Burien will have the highest minimum wage in the nation when it goes into effect on January 1, 2025 for employers with 500 or more full-time equivalents (FTEs). These employers will pay each employee at an hourly rate of at least $4.50 over the state minimum wage. Employers with 21-499 FTEs will be required to pay each employee an hourly minimum wage of at least $3.50 over the state’s minimum wage starting July 1, 2025. Employers with 20 or fewer FTEs are exempt from the ordinance. We encourage all employers and employees to visit burienwa.gov/MinimumWage to learn more about the new law and find materials in six languages.
Before we end 2024, we’re hard at work on our 2025-2026 Biennium Budget and 2025 Financial Policies. Across three public hearings, multiple presentations by staff, and many discussions, we’re ready to adopt a budget that is fiscally responsible, reflects our values and strategic direction, and keeps the City delivering the programs and services our community members expect and deserve.
Thank you for your participation and engagement throughout 2024. We wish you and yours a peaceful and joyous holiday season and look forward to working with and for you in the new year.
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
- Read summaries of City Council meetings at burienwa.gov/CouncilRoundups
- Watch live and past City Council meetings at burienwa.gov/tv
- 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
- 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.
