Page 67 - Hurst Budget FY21

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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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.

BUDGET AMENDMENT PROCESS

Amendments to the budget can be made after adoption. According to Section 5.11-1 of the City
Charter, the City Council may amend the budget by ordinance during the fiscal year, if such
amendment will not increase the total of all budget expenditures. The total budget may be
increased if such expenditures are necessary to protect public property or the health, safety, or
general welfare of the citizens of Hurst. If the total budget is increased during the fiscal year, the
City must follow proper notice and public hearing schedules as prescribed for adoption of the
original budget. According to Section 5.11-2 of the City Charter, the Council may by ordinance
amend the budget so as to appropriate excess revenue to purposes they deem appropriate if, at any
time, the total accruing revenue of the City shall be in excess of the total projected revenue in the
budget. Proper notice and public hearing schedules, as prescribed for adoption of the original
budget, must be followed. By budget ordinance, the City Manager is authorized to make inter-
department and inter-fund transfers during the fiscal year, if necessary.

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