City Council

  Council Vacancy Update

    

About the City Council 

As the City's governing body, Burien's seven elected City Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, contract for services and grant franchises. City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are "at-large" meaning that they serve the City as a whole as opposed to a specific district.

The Mayor serves a two-year term and the Deputy Mayor serves a one-year term. The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year following an election. The Mayor presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental meetings. The Deputy Mayor presides in the Mayor's absence. All receive a monthly salary, plus reimbursement for any expenses.

City Council Meetings

You can participate in Burien City Council meetings both in person and online. Learn more about options for viewing the live broadcast and providing public comment.

Share Comments with the City Council

Report Issues and Send Questions to City Staff

City Council Position No. 2 Vacancy

Burien City Council Position No. 2 became vacant on May 18, 2026. To fill this Council position, the City Council will be appointing a Burien resident to serve in this role.  The appointment by the City Council is expected to commence on or around July 27, 2026 and will expire once the results of the November 2027 general election are certified and the winner has taken the oath of office.

Who may apply?

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a United States citizen without any felony convictions, and a registered voter who has lived within the city of Burien for at least one year prior to the appointment.
  • Councilmembers may hold no other public office and must comply with the provisions of Chapter 42.23 of the Revised Code of Washington, Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers – Contract Interests, as well as other State, Federal, and local laws.

Application Instructions

  • If you are interested in serving in this Council position, you must submit the following by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026:
    • Letter of Interest
    • Resume
    • Completed application
    • Optional: Letters of support from community members
  • To access the application form, download the PDF application, email [email protected], or visit City Hall Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Application packets received after 4 p.m. on June 26, 2026 will not be accepted. Mailed application packets must be postmarked on or before the due date. Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.
  • Submissions may be submitted by one of the following methods:
    • In person at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166. City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed from 12 to 1 p.m.
    • By mail addressed to Burien City Hall, Attn: City Clerk, 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166
    • By email to [email protected]. Please indicate “City Council Position No. 2 Application” in the subject or body of your email.

About the Burien City Council

  • As the City's governing body, Burien's seven elected City Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, contract for services and grant franchises. City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are "at-large" meaning that they serve the City as a whole as opposed to a specific district.
  • The Mayor serves a two-year term and the Deputy Mayor serves a one-year term. The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year following an election. The Mayor presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental meetings. The Deputy Mayor presides in the Mayor's absence. All receive a monthly salary, plus reimbursement for any expenses.
  • Attendance is required at City Council meetings, which are held on Mondays (two to three times per month) from 5:30 p.m. until adjournment. There are quarterly Study Sessions from 5:30 p.m. until adjournment. Occasionally, special meetings are scheduled as needed. The City Council takes a break in August and reconvenes in September. There are no Council meetings on Mondays that are recognized by the City as holidays.
  • Councilmembers are also expected to serve on various local and regional organizations and at various community functions. These meetings and functions typically take place in the evenings but may also occur on some weekends and weekdays. More information can be viewed in this list (PDF file).

City Council Application Review and Appointment Process

  • On June 29, 2026, the City Clerk will provide the City Council with all submitted candidate applications to provide ample time for the City Council to review candidate qualifications.
  • On July 13, 2026, the City Council will select candidates to interview and confirm the planned interview date. Each councilmember will rank up to a total of five candidates from 1 to 5 (with number 1 being their top candidate). The Clerk’s Office will use an Excel matrix to track the rankings (rank 1 = 5 points, rank 2 = 4 points, and so on). The City Council will move to select up to five candidates to advance to the interview stage.
  • On July 14, 2026, the City Clerk will contact the selected candidates to schedule interviews in July 2026.
  • On July 27, 2026 (date tentative), the council will conduct candidate interviews during a Regular Meeting, which is open to the public. Each candidate will have a 20-minute interview with the City Council. Following the interviews, the City Council will recess into an Executive Session to evaluate the candidates. Then, the City Council will reconvene into Open Session to appoint a candidate to Position No. 2.
  • Following the appointment, the new councilmember will be scheduled to be sworn in and seated on the City Council.

 

Questions?

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at:

Phone: (206) 241-4647

Email: [email protected]

Notice of Disclosure

The City of Burien will enter all comments received into the public record and may make these comments, and any attachments or other supporting materials, available unchanged, including any business or personal information (name, email address, phone, etc.) that you provide available for public review. This information may be released on the City’s website. Comments received are part of the public record and subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.

Do not include any information in your comment or supporting materials that you do not wish to be made public, including name and contact information.

Updated June 3, 2026