Budget Process

The City Manager prepares an annual budget for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget is based upon information provided by the various City departments and employees. After a proposed budget is prepared, it is submitted to the City Council for review. The City Council may revise, alter, increase or decrease the items contained in the proposed budget, provided that total authorized expenditures from any fund do not exceed the estimated revenues to be received plus any unencumbered balance or less any deficit estimated for the beginning of the budget year.

By statute, the budget is to be adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Council no later than 3 days prior to the end of the fiscal year, on June 30. Should the council fail to adopt the budget, amounts appropriated for current operations for the current fiscal year are deemed adopted for the ensuing fiscal year on the prorated month to month basis until the Council adopts a budget. The Council, by ordinance, makes supplemental appropriations if the manager certifies that funds are available for such expenditures.

Budget Shortfalls

If during the fiscal year it becomes apparent insufficient funds have been budgeted in a certain area, the shortfall is reported to the City Manager. After reviewing the total budget, recommendations are made to the City Council and the budget is amended by City Ordinance.

Unencumbered Appropriations

Within a fiscal year, the City Manager may transfer all or any part of any unencumbered appropriation balance among programs within a department. The City Council may by ordinance transfer part or all of an unencumbered appropriation balance from one department to another.