Overview
There are four main entities involved in conceptualizing and finalizing the budget.
The Mayor
- Prepares and submits the proposed annual budget ordinance to the City Council no later than its first regular meeting in May, preceding the commencement of the fiscal year
- Considers the resolution submitted by City Council’s Finance/Executive Committee, based on council members’ suggestions for budget priorities
- Mayor and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) may choose to consider the resolution in preparing the budget
City Council
- Holds one or more public hearings on the proposed budget; advertises said meeting(s) in a general-circulation newspaper at least seven (7) days before the date of the hearing
- Amends the proposed annual budget as many times as necessary, so long as the final version allows for all legal and Charter-mandated expenditures
- City Council has until the end of June to adopt the annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year
Budget Commission
- Works alongside City Council to submit an anticipated revenue report to the mayor for use in preparing the budget
- Upon filing revenue anticipations, needs no approval or disapproval, as they are binding upon the City Council
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Five days before the meeting at which the final budget will be submitted to the City Council, the CFO must provide a complete detailed written copy of the final version of the budget