Requests for public records: To request public records involving the Budget Office, see the Public Records Request Portal.

Role of the Clark County Budget Office

"Our mission is to develop and maintain a fiscally sustainable budget that implements county council priorities."

The Clark County Budget Office plays a central role in advancing the County’s mission to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness, and accountability. While the Budget Office does not directly deliver programs or services to the community, its work in developing, analyzing, and monitoring the County’s financial framework ensures that resources are available and aligned to support the County’s broader vision—safe streets and neighborhoods, healthy environments, prosperity and well-being, engaged and informed citizens, inclusion, first-rate infrastructure, and preparation for current and future job opportunities. By stewarding public funds responsibly, the Budget Office enables County departments and offices to carry out their work effectively, thereby contributing to the achievement of these long-term goals.

The Budget Office also plays a central role in supporting the County Manager’s responsibilities under Section 4.1 of the Home Rule Charter and the provisions of RCW 36.40. Given that the County Manager is designated as the County’s Chief Financial Officer for purposes of budget preparation, presentation, and monitoring, the Budget Office provides the operational framework and technical expertise necessary to fulfill these statutory obligations. 

The Budget Office coordinates with each county office and department in the development and submission of preliminary budgets, ensuring that detailed and itemized estimates of revenues and expenditures are prepared in a consistent and accurate manner. Upon receipt of these submissions, the Budget Office works directly with the County Manager to compile and prepare the countywide recommended and balanced budget, which sets forth the complete financial program for the fiscal year. This process includes evaluating expenditure priorities, identifying sustainable revenue sources, and ensuring that the proposed budget reflects the strategic goals of the County.

Once adopted, the Budget Office continues to assist the County Manager in the monitoring and administration of the budget throughout the fiscal year. This includes providing analysis, oversight, and recommendations to support sound financial management, as well as collaborating with the Auditor, Treasurer, and other departments and offices in fulfilling their respective statutory and charter-mandated duties.

Importantly, the work of the Budget Office directly impacts the ability of the County Council to fulfill some components of its legislative and policy-making responsibilities under Section 2.1 of the Home Rule Charter. By providing accurate, consistent, and timely financial information, the Budget Office works alongside the County Council to support its responsibilities, including the adoption of budgets, the appropriation of revenue, and the determination of compensation and resources for county operations. In this way, the Budget Office contributes to a collaborative relationship between the executive and legislative branches, assisting the County Manager in fulfilling statutory financial duties while helping the Council make informed decisions and carry out its policy and oversight responsibilities.

Through all of these functions, the Budget Office ensures that the budget process is transparent, accountable, and responsive. While other departments and offices provide direct services—such as maintaining safe streets, supporting public health, or building infrastructure - the Budget Office provides financial planning, analysis, and oversight that makes those services possible. By aligning resources with strategic priorities, the office enables the County Manager and County Council to fully comply with the requirements of the Home Rule Charter and state law, while also ensuring that the County’s mission and vision are advanced. In this way, the Budget Office strengthens the foundation on which all County services depend, supporting both immediate operational needs and long-term goals for a safe, healthy, inclusive, and well-prepared community.

For information about the county's current budget, call 564.397.6097 or email emily.zwetzig@clark.wa.gov.

Alignment with Strategic Actions

  1. Community Relationships
    • Facilitate transparent communication between county offices, departments, and the County Manager to ensure collaboration and inclusiveness in the budget process.
    • Coordinate budget discussions and updates with elected officials, county directors, and external stakeholders to gather feedback, identify partnerships, and improve efficiency.
    • Support regular engagement with the Senior Leadership Team, enabling informed decisions on countywide initiatives and policy priorities.
  2. Customer Service
    • Develop and maintain clear, consistent processes for budget preparation, submission, and monitoring, ensuring departments and offices receive timely guidance.
    • Track departmental requests, revenues, and expenditure projections systematically, identifying trends, operational challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
    • Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to support efficient resource allocation and responsive service delivery.
  3. Decision Making Process
    • Ensure alignment of departmental budget requests with the County Manager’s strategic goals and Vision/Mission objectives.
    • Support development of dashboards and reporting tools to track operational and financial goals, key milestones, and budget performance.
    • Facilitate transparency and accountability by making budget data, projections, and key financial decisions accessible to leadership and the public.
  4. Employee Relations
    • Provide training and guidance to department staff on budget preparation, financial policies, and reporting procedures.
    • Foster professional development through mentorship, feedback, and skill-building in financial analysis, reporting, and strategic planning.
    • Encourage a collaborative work environment by promoting clear communication, consistent practices, and shared accountability for budget outcomes.
  5. Finance
    • Lead the preparation and monitoring of county budgets in compliance with the Home Rule Charter and RCW requirements.
    • Develop and maintain financial policies, multi-year forecasts, and capital budgeting plans to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
    • Provide the County Manager with analytical support and recommendations to make informed, strategic financial decisions.
  6. Technology
    • Utilize and implement modern financial systems and data management tools to enhance budget accuracy, reporting, and transparency.
    • Stay current with best practices in public finance, policy, and local government operations to continuously improve processes.
    • Leverage technology to support dashboards, reporting, and real-time monitoring of countywide revenues and expenditures.