Charter amendment to expedite budget publication advances to drafting committee 12–3

Commissioner Peter Silliman presented amendment 26‑10 on May 6, proposing changes to Article 4 (Financial Administration) to move key budget deadlines earlier in the cycle, require the county manager to publish budget preparation instructions and a preliminary budget earlier, and add public presentations intended to improve public review and participation.

Silliman told the commission the changes would shift department responses to July 31 and require the county manager to transmit a preliminary budget by Aug. 31 with a public presentation by early September, creating more time for council review before the final November adoption. He said financial services reviewed the proposal and concluded any fiscal impact would be minimal because the amendment changes timing rather than budgeting procedures.

During questions, Commissioner Adegame raised concerns that prescribing publication on a "public‑facing website" could constrain future methods of public distribution; Silliman said the county already posts budget PDFs and that the language is intended to ensure accessibility rather than to foreclose future improvements. Commissioners also asked whether departments could meet the earlier timeline; the county manager had previously told the commission that many departments start budget work early in the year but the new deadlines could require additional staff resources.

Commissioner Garber moved the measure to the drafting committee; it passed on roll call 12–3. Commissioners Adegame, Landesburg and Holmgren voted no.

The measure will be drafted into final ballot language for later review. Supporters said the change would expand public engagement and avoid the congested late‑fall meeting season; critics urged caution about rigidly prescribing publication methods.