The City of Olympia is now implementing Priority-Based Budgeting (PBB). Priority-Based Budgeting aligns City funding to community priorities and increases resident transparency about how their taxes and fees are spent. By organizing the budget around programs and services instead of traditional departmental line items, PBB provides a clearer picture of what the City does, how much it costs, and why it matters.
Priority-Based Budgeting differs from conventional budgeting. It transforms the City line-item budget by assigning costs to a program or service rather than splitting costs between departments. For example, instead of listing separate expenses for staff, equipment, and operations across multiple departments, all costs related to a specific service, such as maintaining parks and public spaces, are grouped into a single program. This allows residents to see the full cost of that service in one place, along with how it supports community priorities like public safety, quality of life, and environmental stewardship. PBB further evaluates each program and service for its value to Olympia residents and the community's long-term goals. This ensures resources are allocated efficiently and in alignment with what the public values most.
"Implementing Priority-Based Budgeting is a win for Olympia residents," said Mayor Dontae Payne. "It is easier for nearly any resident to understand what we're doing and how much it costs because we're talking about programs and services people can recognize - not Department line items."
The City's budget process begins with extensive community engagement. Residents are invited to share their priorities through surveys, online forums, and public meetings, which help staff and City Council understand evolving needs and emerging issues. This input, combined with performance metrics, informs budget decisions and ensures that City programs are effective and sustainable over the long term.
"Priority-Based Budgeting provides a practical, fact-driven framework to guide our decision-making," said City Manager Jay Burney. "It allows us to focus on programs that deliver real results; while continuously evaluating how well we are meeting the community's priorities. This is a more focused, accountable, and relevant way of budgeting."
Residents can explore Olympia's programs, services, and investments through the City's Priority-Based Budgeting dashboard, providing full transparency on funding and performance, on the City
Budget & Performance web page.
