Citizen ' s Budget Guide
When enough money has been accumulated for the project , the money is transferred to an operating or capital project fund and spent from there .
In addition to the Council committing funds for future projects or programs , state law also limits how some revenues received can be spent . When there is an accumulation of such funds , they are classified as restricted . The Town has restricted funds for such programs as street maintenance and police operations .
The Budget Format
For several years , the Town has used what is called a “ program ” budget . This type of budget contains not only the dollar amount of funding but also information about the activities , goals , and objectives established for each department during the year that particular budget is in effect .
To make sure those goals and objectives are implemented , division budgets include a list of performance measures . The effectiveness of the department is evaluated every year on the basis of how well that department met the objectives established in the annual budget . This is one way we try to ensure quality control in the work the Town performs .
For easy reference , each department budget includes a summary of significant changes in the level of funding or major items affecting the funding of the department .
The budget narrative for each department also includes information regarding the department ’ s funding history , how many employees currently work in the department , and a listing of performance measures .
The funding history section summarizes spending that occurred in the two prior fiscal years , the current year revised budget and the upcoming proposed and subsequently , the adopted fiscal year .
The Adoption Process
The annual budget process involves a considerable amount of time and effort on the part of staff and Town Council . In fact , staff begins the process of preparing the recommended budget in November . In February , staff provides the Town Council with a preliminary budget outlook .
In an effort to focus attention on major changes which may be proposed , staff develops a base budget ( i . e ., funding necessary to continue services at the current year ’ s level with only inflationary increases factored in ). All changes in service must be submitted through what is called an “ expansion request .” During review of the budget , these expansion requests are considered and decided upon individually .
Detailed information on the expansion requests and whether or not they are recommended for funding is included in the Town Manager ’ s Recommended Budget , which is submitted to Town Council in May .
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