Your City's Budget: A Critical Process

Have you considered how city decisions about services and projects impact our community, or where your tax dollars are allocated? You are invited to observe your City Council at work during the upcoming budget review process.

Accessible Budget Meetings

The City Council conducts regularly scheduled meetings, including workshops on the first and third Tuesdays at 3 p.m. and Council meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 5 p.m. These meetings are typically held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

This year, the entire budget process will be integrated into seven specific dates within these established meetings rather than one all day meeting that might make it harder for citizens to attend. This approach aims to provide additional opportunities for the public to observe the process. Our workshops and Council meetings are typically well-attended, and we anticipate continued citizen participation in the city's financial planning.

The city is currently in the FY 2025/2026 budget review and approval period. This process involves setting tax rates and determining funding for essential city services and projects. Community education is an important component of this process.

Why Engage in the Budget Process?

• Understand City Finances: Gain insight into how city finances operate. A "Budget Primer" workshop will provide foundational understanding.
• Contribute to City Planning: Your understanding of the process can help you better communicate with your Council Members about community budget priorities. 
• Transparency: All meetings are open to the public, and a complete schedule is provided for your reference.

Budget Meeting Schedule

All meetings will take place at City Hall, 305 Millers Crossing, in the Kitty Young Council Chamber.

The schedule of budget-related events is as follows:

• July 15, 3 p.m. - Workshop: A basic budget primer covering different funds, revenues, expenditures, and preliminary presentations on special revenue funds (e.g., hotel/motel, restricted courts, employee benefits).
• July 29, 3 p.m. - Workshop: Preliminary presentations on proprietary funds (e.g., utility, drainage, sanitation), the capital project fund, and the coronavirus fund.
• August 5, 5 p.m. - Special Meeting: Preliminary presentation on general and debt service funds, including the proposed tax rate.
• August 12, 5 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Presentation of the full proposed budget to the Council.
• August 19, 5 p.m. - Special Meeting: Vote on the preliminary ad valorem rate and establishment of the public hearing date.
• August 26, 5 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Public hearing and adoption of the budget and fee schedule. (Cancelled)
• September 2, 5 p.m. - Special Meeting: Public hearing and adoption of the budget and fee schedule.
• September 9, 5 p.m. - Regular Meeting: Public hearing and adoption of the tax rate.

We are dedicated to sharing this crucial process with the community. Our objective is to effectively implement the vision of our City Council and support its management and leadership of city services. We encourage you to utilize this opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing our city. This understanding can provide a clearer perspective on these dynamics as you engage in discussions with your City Council or respond to inquiries from other citizens.