One of the primary duties of the Pierce County Council is "to levy taxes, appropriate revenue, and adopt budgets for the County" (Charter, Section 2.20 (1)(a)).The Council adopts a biennial budget by Dec. 1 of each year ending in an odd number.

In 2018 the Council passed Ordinance No. 2018-24 concerning amendments to Article 6 of the Pierce County Charter; in the subsequent November general election the measure passed by more than 62 percent of the public vote. These amendments changed the budget cycle from an annual cycle to a biennial cycle starting Jan. 1, 2020. Pierce County will use its two-year biennial operating budget to monitor revenue and expenses, and to improve financial management and strategic planning. 

With adoption of the biennial budget the county can give greater emphasis on management and service delivery, program evaluation and monitoring, and is able to improve long-term planning. The budget is the single most important document the Pierce County Council uses to oversee the delivery of services, programs and resources to Pierce County residents. The budget is the official financial plan for the county. Between biennial budgets, the Council may consider supplemental budgets and other budget changes, such as provisos and companion budget proposals.

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