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

The Council passed Ordinance No. 2018-24 concerning amendments to Article 6 of the Pierce County Charter and in the November General Election the measure passed with over 62% of the public vote.  These amendments changed the County budget cycle from an annual one-year cycle to a biennial two-year cycle starting January 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 the adoption of the biennial budget the County will be able to give greater emphasis on management and service delivery, program evaluation and monitoring, and will be able to improve long-term planning. The County 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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