Budget message — Preliminary hearings.
RCW 35A.33.055
in effectIn every code city a budget message prepared by or under the direction of the city's chief administrative officer shall be submitted as a part of the preliminary budget to the city's legislative body at least sixty days before the beginning of the city's next fiscal year and shall contain the following: (1) An explanation of the budget document; (2) An outline of the recommended financial policies and programs of the city for the ensuing fiscal year; (3) A statement of the relation of the recommended appropriation to such policies and programs; (4) A statement of the reason for salient changes from the previous year in appropriation and revenue items; (5) An explanation for any recommended major changes in financial policy. Prior to the final hearing on the budget, the legislative body or a committee thereof, shall schedule hearings on the budget or parts thereof, and may require the presence of department heads to give information regarding estimates and programs.
In every code city a budget message prepared by or under the direction of the city's chief administrative officer shall be submitted as a part of the preliminary budget to the city's legislative body at least sixty days before the beginning of the city's next fiscal year and shall contain the following:
(1) An explanation of the budget document;
(2) An outline of the recommended financial policies and programs of the city for the ensuing fiscal year;
(3) A statement of the relation of the recommended appropriation to such policies and programs;
(4) A statement of the reason for salient changes from the previous year in appropriation and revenue items;
(5) An explanation for any recommended major changes in financial policy.
Prior to the final hearing on the budget, the legislative body or a committee thereof, shall schedule hearings on the budget or parts thereof, and may require the presence of department heads to give information regarding estimates and programs.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.33&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026