Page 43 - Watauga FY21 Budget

BUDGET OVERVIEW

POLICY ISSUES, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR FY 2020-2021

The FY2020-2021 budget is designed to continue the City’s programs to (a) provide
efficient operations, (b) maintain basic and essential service levels, and (c) achieve City
Council Goals (Goal #). Specifically, the following policies are to be observed:

• Essential government services are to be provided at a level equal to or better
than the level previously provided.

• All services are to be constantly examined to ensure that they are provided in an
efficient and effective manner and that unnecessary services are eliminated.

As a means to ensure that City Council Goals (Goal #) are achieved, performance-
based programs were implemented and are monitored. Under this program, each City
department head is required to identify several performance objectives consistent with
City goals and maintain performance indicators, which will measure progress toward the
achievement of stated objectives. This process is reviewed and updated annually for
inclusion in the budget document. Each department’s progress in measuring their goals
is reviewed and monitored throughout the budget year.

The FY2020-2021 balanced budget does have some planned draw down of fund
balance within the guidelines of the financial policy. All funds are planned to carry
sufficient levels to protect the creditworthiness of the City and financial position from
emergencies.

The General Fund has an imposed target of 25% of operating expenses. For FY2019-
2020 the General Fund ending balance is projected to be at 34% of operating expenses
at year-end. We expect to end FY2020-2021 with a balance of 35% of operating
expenses.

35