Seattle’s budget chair previewed the city’s budget schedule and public hearings at the Sept. 22 council briefing and highlighted a Sound Transit staffing ordinance that will go before full council.

Council member Strauss said central staff will provide an overview and departments will present during the coming weeks, with public comment accepted beginning Sept. 25 and additional public hearings scheduled. He told colleagues that departmental presentations will include the Office of Planning and Community Development, Office of Sustainability and Environment, Seattle Parks and Recreation, SDOT, Seattle Police Department, Fire Department, Human Services Department, Office of Housing, Seattle Center, Office of Economic Development, Arts, and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.

Strauss also described a Sound Transit staffing bill on the full‑council agenda that would authorize hiring eight positions of a planned 40 to help process an influx of permits tied to Sound Transit projects. He said the ordinance is “an allowance to start hiring these positions” and argued faster processing will shorten project delivery timelines and avoid additional costs. "If we as the city don't do everything that we can to quicken the timeline, Sound Transit ... it will also cost more," Strauss said.

Strauss said the council will use Robert’s Rules of Order during budget deliberations and that central staff will be available to answer questions as members review the mayor’s proposed budget. He said the council will structure public hearings so earlier virtual hearings shorten evening sessions and that public comment will be accepted at the start of each budget section.

No final budget votes were taken at the briefing; council members said the mayor’s proposed budget will be delivered to the council the next day and that committee review and public hearings will follow.