Accountability Framework

Comp Plans: SAY vs DO

Every Washington city promises housing, transit, and climate action in its comprehensive plan. We track what they actually discuss in public meetings — and what they fund in their budgets. The accountability score measures how many plan policies include concrete, measurable commitments.

How the Tracker Works

Three layers of accountability — from promise to action to dollars.

Layer 1 — SAY
The Comp Plan
What the city formally adopted: goals, policies, and targets. We score each chapter on how measurable its commitments are.
Layer 2 — DISCUSS
Real Briefings
What gets talked about in public meetings — Planning Commission, City Council, and boards. Are they actually working toward plan goals?
Layer 3 — DO
Budget Tracker
Where the money actually goes. Budget line items linked to plan chapters reveal whether cities are funding their own promises.
Filter by county:
6
Active Plans
72
Chapters Analyzed
4101
Total Policies
5.0%
Avg Accountability Score
King County
Bellevue
Bellevue Comprehensive Plan · 2023 · 2023-2044
2.3%
Accountability Score avg across 11 chapters Out of 100% · Low = Bad
Whatcom County
Bellingham
The Bellingham Plan · 2025 · 2025-2045
2.3%
Accountability Score avg across 10 chapters Out of 100% · Low = Bad
Housing Target 33,105 units by 2045
Snohomish County
Marysville
2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan · 2024 · 2024-2044
5.3%
Accountability Score avg across 9 chapters Out of 100% · Low = Bad
Whatcom County
Whatcom County
Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan · 2021 · 2021-2040
5.4%
Accountability Score avg across 10 chapters Out of 100% · Low = Bad