Budget Process

Budget Timeline

January – Departments submit Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) requests.

February – The departments’ Capital Improvement Plan submissions are reviewed and prioritized. Note: This year, citizens will have the opportunity to attend Budget Workshops to express priorities for government services.

March – The Information Technology Plan Committee prepares its priority of Information Technology projects.

March/April -- Departments prepare and submit operational budget requests to the Budget Office.

April – The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee (MBRC) reviews the Capital Improvement Plan and the Information Technology Plan. The Budget Office prepares departmental budget submissions for review by the MBRC.

May 1 – Mayor John Peyton presents a preliminary budget to the City Council.

June – Property Tax Appraiser provides a preliminary estimate of the county’s taxable value of commercial and private property. This figure allows the city to estimate potential property tax revenue, the amount of money that will be available to operate city government for the upcoming fiscal year.

July 1 – Mayor Alvin Brown takes office.

July – The Property Appraiser provides an updated figure and certifies the taxable value of commercial and private property. Mayor Brown presents proposed budget to City Council.

July/August –The City Council sets the maximum millage rate for the coming fiscal year.

August/September – The City Council’s Finance Committee reviews the mayor’s proposed budget and, as decided in committee, may make adjustments.

September – Two public hearings are held on the proposed millage rate and the proposed budget during regular City Council meetings. The millage and budget are approved and sent to the mayor for his signature.

October 1 – The new fiscal year begins.