Budget Calendar

The Annual Budget and Work Program is a fiscal plan that presents the services which will be provided to the community and the funds needed to perform these services.  The type of service and the level of service are defined by the use of program objectives, which are further defined by performance measures.  The Mayor is responsible for formulating the fiscal plan and presenting it to the City Council for approval and adoption.  The key steps and dates in this process for the 2008 Budget and Work Program are described below:

Capital Improvement Requests: 2008-2012, June 2007

Five Year Capital Improvements requests will be submitted for review and prioritization. Approval of the requests will be based on a review of prioritized lists by Department Directors and Budget staff to see if original cost and continuing cost are within the available funding range.  All capital items with a cost that exceeds $10,000 appear in the Five Year Capital Improvements Programs.

Budget Preparation Package, June 2007

The budget preparation package will be distributed to all Department Directors and Division Heads.  The package will include budget preparation software and a detailed manual, which includes the budget preparation calendar, software instructions and examples, planning indicators, and specific account and reference information necessary to complete the 2008 budget request.  In addition, target budgets will be set for each fund and/or program.  The target budget excludes service expansion requests and new personnel requests.  These items are considered separately.  Training sessions will be conducted by the Budget staff in June to review the budget calendar and to cover instructions for the proper completion of the 2008 budget submission.

Budget Work Papers Submitted by Division Heads, July 2007

Division Heads are to return budget submissions requesting 2008 funding to the budget office.  The budget office will then verify that budget submissions are correct and within specified targets.

Analysis of Each Proposed Program Budget, August/September 2007

During this period, meetings will be conducted with each Department Director.  At these meetings, the submitted program budgets will be evaluated in their entirety and additions and cuts are made to balance funds with service requirements.  The 2008 Proposed Budget and Work Program will be the result of this process.

Public Hearings, September-October 2007

The Street Committee, the Sewer Committee, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, the Airport Board, and Community Development will conduct public hearings to obtain input from citizens on the 2008-2012 capital improvements program.

Capital Improvements Program Consideration by City Council-November/December 2007

The proposed 2008-2012 Capital Improvements Program will be presented to the City Council in November.  The public will be invited to attend and comment on the projects incorporated in the 2008-2012 CIP at various public hearings as well as Council agenda setting sessions and meetings.  The CIP projects listed for 2008 are incorporated in the 2008 Annual Budget and Work Program.

Consideration and Approval of the Budget, November/December 2007

The proposed budget will be presented to the Mayor in October.  The Proposed 2008 Budget and Work Program will then be presented to the City Council in November. Public hearings on the budget will be conducted during November and December.

Implementing the 2008 Budget, January 2008

Work papers are created and distributed to allow each division head to split their budget into the projected funding level needed for each month.  These work papers are collected and input into the computer system to assist in the control of the adopted budget throughout 2008.

Adjusting the 2008 Budget, Throughout 2008

The budget may be adjusted throughout 2008.  Depending on the amount of the adjustment, approval may come from the Budget Manager, Finance Director, Mayor or the City Council.

The public hearings throughout the budget process are considered to be an essential part of the budget process as they are designed to solicit feedback from the public on City operations and services.  In accord with continuing efforts to apprise the public of City activities, the Proposed 2008 Budget and Work Program is made available for review by all interested persons at the Fayetteville Public Library and the City Clerk's Office.  In addition, a downloadable version of the budget is found on the City's web site.  Public notification of this information is made in a local newspaper and on the Cable Access Television channel.  As always, the public is invited to attend all meetings, retreats, and hearings regarding consideration of the Budget.