The Lake Stevens City Council will hold two hybrid public hearings on Tuesdays, November 9^th and November 23^rd, 2021at 6:00 p.m. in the Sawyers Room, at The Mill, 1808 Main Street, and via Zoom to receive public comment regarding the Proposed 2022 Budget. Visit the City Council page for the agenda with the Zoom login information. 

The City Council will also be taking public testimony during the November 9^th budget hearing on proposed 2022 revenue sources for the General Fund including property taxes.  Any person desiring to present testimony may do so at the above-described hearing or may submit comments in writing to the City Clerk prior to the hearing by sending them via email at deputyclerk@lakestevenswa.gov or by mail:

City Hall

Attn: City Clerk 

P.O. Box 257

Lake Stevens, WA  98258

The 2022 Budget Process

• The 2022 Budget process began this summer with budget instructions going out to City Department Heads on September 3^rd. Notification emails were sent to the head of each department that included budget instructions, a draft budget schedule, and the initial base budget created by the Finance Department. 
• The initial base budget starts with a forecast of future revenues from all sources based on current trends, new initiatives, and resources provided by the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and the Municipal Research Service Center (MRSC). Initial expenditure budgets generally start as a baseline equal to, or slightly above, the prior year's budget with the exception of one-time requests that are removed from the total. This initial base budget includes current staffing levels, current programs, and current levels of service only. Any additional positions, personnel, or program expenditures are included as requests to the budget.
• Departments have the opportunity to submit requests for additional staffing, equipment, and projects based on the needs of their department and the city as a whole.
• The Mayor and City Administrator meets with each department regarding the requests in an attempt to prioritize the budget based on the City Council priorities and available future funding. The Mayor's recommended budget, which often includes multiple alternatives, is presented to City Council during a workshop meeting in early October. The remaining workshop study sessions are for Council to discuss recommendations and give feedback based on citizen communication and city needs.  

For documents related to the 2022 budget process click here.