Page 73 - N. Richland Hills General Budget

INTRODUCTION

BUDGET PROCESS

The City’s budget represents the culmination of months of preparation and discussion among the City Council
and City staff regarding the best ways to provide high quality services to the community at the greatest value.
The process for developing the City’s annual budget is a nearly year-round effort spanning December through
September of each fiscal year.

Beginning in December City staff evaluate internal service needs related to facilities, technology and equipment.
These needs are submitted for evaluation to identify priority and gather cost data for consideration during the
budget process. During January through February staff start preparation of the initial outlook for infrastructure
and major capital needs over the next three year and ten year periods. All of this information is then submitted
to the Budget Office and City Manager’s Office for review in early February.

In March the Operating Budget Process kicks off with key staff meeting with the Budget Office and City Manager’s
Office to discuss a high level overview of the key challenges expected over the coming fiscal year and to provide
guidance on budget expectations. The Budget Office provides the Budget Information Manual, necessary forms
and data to assist City Department’s in preparing their current year forecasts and proposed budgets. Budget
submissions are then due at the end of March.

Beginning in April and lasting through early June the City Manager’s Office and Budget Office reviews budget
submissions and requests. Review meetings are held with the Assistant City Manager’s and Departments with
a final round of review meetings held with the City Manager, Departments, and Budget Office. During these
reviews decisions are made on budget requests that will be included as part of the proposed budget to submit
to City Council.

In June through July staff holds a mid-year budget review and two of three budget work sessions with City
Council to review forecasts for the year-end, major budgetary impacts expected in the upcoming fiscal year, and
the capital budget. In late July the final budget work session is held with the City Council to review the proposed
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operating budget, capital budget, and estimated tax rate. On July 25 the Certified Tax Roll is received from the
Tarrant County Appraisal District. After thorough review and input, the proposed budget is finalized and filed
with the City Secretary. In the next available City Council meeting the date and times of the public hearings for
the operating budget, capital budget, and tax rates are set.

In early August, the City holds one public hearing on the budget and tax rate to receive public input. After
receiving public input the City Council will vote to adopt the revised and proposed annual operating budget,
capital budget, and tax rate by August 17 . The Adopted Budget and tax rate go into effect October 1 for the
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start of the new fiscal year.
Budget Amendment Process

Amendments to the budget can be made after adoption. According to Article XII, Section 4 of the City Charter,
the City Manager shall authorize no expenditure over the total funds for expenditure in the overall budget unless
the budget is amended by the same public notice procedure called for in adopting the budget.

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