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1. What information is included in the City’s budget document?

The budget document tells the City’s financial story and includes overviews on the budget process, funds, reserves, debt service, grants, community funding activities, capital improvements, revenues, and expenses. The budget document also includes a detailed line item budget for each fund and department.

2. How is the budget adopted by Council?

The proposed budget must undergo three readings of an ordinance and a public hearing before becoming final.

3. How much money can the City spend in a fiscal year?

The City cannot expend more than what has been appropriated by the Council. The statutory level of control at which expenditures may not legally exceed appropriations is defined by the fund level.

4. Can the budget be changed during the year?

Yes, the budget is not a static document and must be responsive to changing circumstances over the fiscal year. The Council may approve budget amendments by passing a resolution that identifies the changes.

5. What happens if budgeted money is not spent by the end of the fiscal year?

Any unused appropriations automatically lapse at the end of the fiscal year. The Council may authorize those funds to be re-appropriated in the following fiscal year through a budget amendment resolution.