Updated with comments from the mayor's office that McGinn will only provide "brief remarks" to the council, not provide the full budget speech.

Mayor Mike McGinn announced this morning that he'll deliver his budget address next Monday, September 27, as planned. But when he first reveals the details—such as where he wants to make department cuts, which sources he wants to tap for more revenue, and how he plans to make contingencies if the countywide sales tax measure passes in November—he won't be in the city council chambers, as per custom and required by city law. Instead he'll deliver the budget address at noon in the Rainier Beach Community Center. After that, his office said in a statement, "McGinn will formally transmit his proposed budget to Council in their chambers at City Hall" at the 2:00 p.m. city council meeting.

When McGinn says "formally transmit his proposed budget to Council," that's not necessarily a commitment to make a speech. He could just walk in, hand it over, and leave.

But that would be the wrong choice. The council/mayor relations are already brittle (thanks equally to the pettiness of the council's leadership and the mayor's un-artful handling of contentious issues); delivering the budget news from outside City Hall is going to ruffle feathers even more. McGinn should show the grace to, at least, repeat the speech for the council. After all, the council will have final authority to pass the budget—including all funding for the mayor's budget—and he doesn't need to goad them into being any more vindictive than they already are.

UPDATE: Although the mayor's office says McGinn could satisfy the rules of the city charter—which simply requires the mayor to "communicate" a budget at the full council meeting—by walking in and plopping down the written budget, he won't do that. Instead, he'll be giving "brief remarks," says McGinn spokesman Aaron Pickus.

Asked if the speech to the council will provide as much detail as the event in South Seattle, Pickus said, "He's giving his full address at the Rainier Beach Community Center and then giving his brief remarks at council chambers and transmitting his budget. The mayor thinks it is important that he speak directly to the community when delivering his proposed budget. It is going to have a greater impact on the community than it will have on the council."

So there you have it: The budget address for the council isn't the full budget address. More details HERE.