To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
Title
Update: Proposed 2017 Budget Process Calendar
Body
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Executive Summary
As previously discussed with Council, staff is planning to present next year’s budget to Council and the community earlier in the year than in recent years. The reason for this is the voter-approved change in the timing of Town Council elections from April to November.
With the change in election timing, new Councilmembers will be seated at the first December Council meeting. That is typically the meeting at which the annual budget ordinance is heard on second reading.
Not wanting new Councilmembers to come into the budget mid-process, and not wanting to put an item as vital as the annual budget on a new Council’s first agenda, staff is planning to present the Preliminary 2017 Budget to the current Council for adoption and approval in accordance with the calendar in Attachment A. Under this plan, the budget ordinance would be heard on second reading at the second September meeting.
Adopting the Preliminary 2017 Budget in September would not preclude the new Council that will be seated in December from amending the budget if it so desires. The planned change is intended to avoid a scenario in which the new Council would be required to adopt a budget at its first meeting, given that state law requires the Town’s budget to be adopted by mid-December.
You will note that staff is planning additional public outreach regarding the 2017 Budget in May and June. This is in response to 2015 community survey, in which residents expressed that the Town could do better at seeking residents’ involvement and input. The meetings will also help draw public awareness to the new timeframe for the Town’s annual budget process.
Attachment
Attachment A: Proposed 2017 Budget Process Calendar