Page 88 - Hurst FY19 Approved Budget

BUDGET PROCESS

DEFINITION AND AUTHORITY

The budget is a financial plan for a fiscal year of operations that matches all planned
revenues and expenditures with the services provided to the residents of the City based
on established budgetary policies. The City Charter establishes the City of Hurst’s fiscal
year as October 1 through September 30. The City Charter requires that the City Manager
submit the approved budget and budget message for the upcoming fiscal year to the
City Council, at least thirty-five (35) days prior to October 1 of each year. Upon receipt
of the approved budget, the City Council is required to set a date and place for a public
hearing to discuss the budget. According to:

Sec. 5.03. Publication of notice of public hearing.
“At the meeting of the council at which the budget and budget message
are submitted, the council shall determine the place and time of the public
hearing on the budget, and shall cause to be published a notice of the place
and time not less than seven (7) days after date of publication, at which the
council will hold a public hearing.”

Prior to the public hearing, the approved budget is a Public Record as stated by:

Section 5.02. Budget - A public record.
“The budget and budget message and all supporting schedules shall be
a public record in the office of the city clerk open to public inspection by
anyone. The city manager shall have five (5) copies of such budget and any
budget message deposited in the Hurst Public Library for examination by
interested persons.”
(Res. No. 879, 4-9-85)

At the hearing, the Council gives all interested persons an opportunity to be heard for,
or against, any expenditure account or revenue estimate. The City Charter binds the
City Council to adopt a budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. The City Council
will adopt the budget ordinance and approve the tax rate for the coming fiscal year
during the same meeting.

71