The City's budget preparation process begins in earnest at the staff level with the budget orientation meeting held in February.  This meeting serves as a means to communicate the budget development guidelines, priorities and policies that will guide the preparation of the upcoming budget process. The draft budget is also distributed to departments at this meeting. This represents a preliminary, or base level budget, that serves as the starting point for the maintenance of current programs and service levels.

Department staff are allowed a month in order to submit the budget request package for the review process. The City Manager and Finance staff have the lead roles in coordinating the review process. Meetings are held with department heads to discuss budgetary issues and programs, and to help establish funding priorities. The City Manager makes the final decisions with respect to what is included in the proposed budget.  After the departmental review process is completed, the proposed budget is published and submitted to the City Council for their review, modification, and adoption. The Council review is accomplished  through a series of public meetings, study sessions, and hearings, with the adoption of the budget usually occurring in the latter part of June.

For additional budget information contact the Finance Department by telephone at 831.646.3940 or send us an email.