The 2019-20 budget cycle includes some serious financial challenges for the City of Kent, and Mayor Dana Ralph wants to involve the community early in the budget process to inform residents and businesses of the upcoming challenges and get input on the City’s spending priorities. To begin the process, Mayor Ralph and Finance Director Aaron BeMiller will host three community meetings:

• Tuesday, March 27, 7 p.m., Trinity Church (3807 Reith Road, Kent, WA)
• Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m., Sunrise Elementary (22300 132nd Avenue SE, Kent, WA)
• Thursday, May 3, 7 p.m., Kent Senior Center (600 E. Smith St., Kent, WA)

Mayor Ralph will speak briefly at each meeting, followed by a budget presentation by Finance Director Aaron BeMiller and a question-and-answer session. The public is invited to attend the meetings to better understand the budget process and the challenges facing the City. In addition, the City has set up this online form where the public can provide input. 

By law, the mayor must propose a balanced budget to the Kent City Council this fall. At that time, there will be additional opportunities, including public hearings, for residents to offer input on the proposed biennial budget.