Pierce County Council will hold at least eight public hearings over the next two weeks to ask questions and discuss key spending areas before it adopts a 2013 budget.

Councilmembers will start their Committee of the Whole hearings on Weds., Oct. 17 with an overview from Budget and Finance Director Gary Robinson. He will be followed by presentations and question-and-answer sessions on Thurs., Oct. 18, Weds, Oct. 24, and Thurs., Oct. 25 with department directors and elected leaders representing parks, public works, courts, law enforcement and more. The lineup may change due to unanticipated schedule conflicts, so the public can check here for the most up-to-date schedule and documents.

The Council will spend that time examining County Executive Pat McCarthy’s proposed $884 million budget that was submitted on Sept. 21.

“These are very challenging times for citizens and businesses in Pierce County. Our job is to ensure we are spending taxpayer dollars effectively and efficiently on the priorities that support Pierce County,” said Council Chair Joyce McDonald. “These hearings are open to the public, and they are televised and streamed live over the Internet. Members of the public are encouraged to contact their representative on the Council with thoughts and questions about the budget.”

The Council has put placeholders on its calendar for possible meetings between Fri., Oct. 26 and Mon., Nov. 5. The Council’s calendar shows it could take final action on the 2013 budget on either Tues., Nov. 6 or Tues., Nov. 13.

The meetings are scheduled to be held in the Council Chambers, located on the 10th floor of the County-City Building. The address is 930 Tacoma Ave. S., Room 1045, Tacoma. Committee of the Whole hearings will be aired live and replayed on Pierce County TV, which is found in most areas on channel 22. The hearings also will be streamed live and archived at piercecountytv.org.