Budget Process

Budget Decision Makers

• The Mayor – Once the divisions and departments have submitted budget requests, the mayor and his staff review the requests and draft a preliminary budget. This year the mayor’s preliminary budget will be submitted to City Council on May 1. The mayor must present a final proposed budget to the City Council by July 15. The Mayor’s Office then works closely with Council as it begins reviewing the proposed budget. After City Council approves the budget, the mayor signs it into law.
• The City Council – Receives the mayor’s proposed budget, reviews the submittal and votes on a maximum millage (or property tax) rate. The City Council Finance Committee reviews the proposed budget, meets with department directors and divisions chiefs and makes changes to reflect its priorities. Its recommendations are presented to the City Council as a whole and after two open public meetings, it votes on the budget. The balanced budget must be approved by Oct. 1.
• Council Auditor – Works with the City Council Finance Committee and the full City Council throughout the budget process to ensure that its changes keep the proposed budget balanced.
• Finance Department – Works with the Mayor’s Office to ensure its proposed budget is balanced. It also works with the Council Auditor to make sure that the budget remains balanced throughout the process.
• Citizens – Are invited to engage in the budget process in a number of ways. Citizens can attend budget workshops, contact the city with thoughts or priorities for funding or attend the City Council’s Finance Committee budget deliberations.