Bellevue residents have a chance to weigh in on how their city will spend money in the coming years, following an announcement from the City Council on its public hearings and information sessions for the 2025-2026 operating budget and the 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Plan. According to a City of Bellevue news release, these sessions are designed to foster community involvement in Bellevue's investment strategies and to offer clarity on the council's budgetary priorities and financial policies.
The first hearing was on July 9, but community members will have another opportunity to attend a public budget hearing scheduled for September 24. Three interactive budget information sessions also had been planned, allowing residents to directly ask their questions regarding the preliminary budget and the overall process. These sessions are aimed to help attendees understand how the city is making strategic investments for Bellevue's present and future, striving for financial stability, resilience, and equitable policies.
Featured in the proposed budget are investments beneficial to small businesses, climate change mitigation efforts, housing, and human services, plus neighborhood-level improvements. No registration is required to participate in these sessions, food will be provided during the event, making it approachable for a wider audience.
Those interested in attending can find the upcoming sessions at Crossroads Community Center on September 23, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., North Bellevue Community Center on September 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and South Bellevue Community Center on September 26, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. As part of this year’s updates to the budget process, Bellevue has adopted principles emphasizing stewardship and flexibility and introduced a budget equity toolkit to improve department diversity, equity, and inclusion.
