Budget Process

The major steps involved in the development of the annual operating budget are identified below.

• City Commission Financial Retreat:  The process begins in January with a review of the City’s latest financial status, financial challenges, progress on economic development activities, plus budget initiatives, recommendations for new revenue opportunities, and a review of the three-year financial forecast.  The Commission sets priorities for the next fiscal year at this retreat.
   
• Executive and Management Retreat:  In February, the City Manager holds a retreat with members of the Executive and Management staff to disseminate the results of the City Commission Financial Retreat and to advise Department and Office Directors of critical issues.
   
• Employee Workshops:  In an effort to gather ideas from those who are involved most closely to the daily operations of the City, workshops are held for employees to make recommendations and to highlight opportunities.  Employee suggestions are reviewed by a special committee and implemented, when practicable.
   
• City Commission Budget Workshop:  In May, the Department and Office Budget Requests for the new fiscal year are presented to the City Commission to facilitate interactive planning and further fine-tune operations needs and priorities.
   
• Public Hearings:  Three public hearings are held to invite public comment related to the proposed fiscal year budget.  The first hearing is held in July to set the maximum millage rate, which is used to calculate property taxes.  The proposed budget is released for public viewing subsequent to this hearing.  The second and third public hearings occur in September and focus on the detailed operating budget.  An operating budget must be adopted for the new fiscal year before October 1.