Page 162 - HaltomCityFY25Budget

City Of Haltom City Annual Budget, FY2025 Supplemental Information

o The Charter of Haltom City specifies that an Operating Budget be adopted prior to
the first day of the fiscal year beginning October 1st. The City’s budget preparation
process is a seven-month cycle, which begins in mid-February and ends in mid-
September. The City Council, management, departments, and the public have
opportunities to participate in the preparation of the budget at various stages in
the process. Throughout the process, the City Manager presents reports
delineating particular areas of concern to the Council. The Council provides the
direction and guidance necessary to implement the goals and objectives of the
City.
2. Preparation of the Operating Budget
o In Early Spring, the Finance Department distributes a budget calendar and other
materials to prepare for the upcoming fiscal year. Departments submit budget
proposals. During the months of May, June, and July, the City Manager develops
the recommended budget based on the policy direction received from Council.
The City’s Charter requires that the proposed budget be submitted to the Council
at least forty-five (45) days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. This submission
normally occurs during mid-July, followed by a series of public budget work
sessions between July and August. The first and second readings of the budget
ordinance occur at the council meetings in August and/or September. If the city
council fails to adopt a budget in final form before the first day of the fiscal year,
the city charter requires that the budget proposed by the City Manager shall be
deemed to have been adopted.
o In preparation of the proposed budget, each department develops measures,
objectives, and details accomplishments for use in the budget. By identifying the
goals of the department and compiling past and current workload statistics, the
department is able to determine early in the budget process which areas will
require future resource adjustments.
o Departments prepare base budget requests to continue the current level of
service. Any new projects that the department wants considered for funding are
submitted as prioritized budgetary items. The department must also submit a
prioritized list of budget reduction options. The consequences of not funding
these items must also be provided. A departmental budget request is comprised
of a line-item expenditure request that is supplemented with detailed
justification. All requests for funding must be related to specific project needs and
must be measurable in terms of effectiveness and/or efficiency indicators.
3. Public Input in the Budget Process
o Haltom City Boards and commissions advise the City Council in the development
of the annual budget, as needed. The Library Board advises the Council on Library
operational and capital needs. The Crime District Board have the authority to
review the CCPD annual budgets submitted by Staff and approve the plan prior to
Council consideration. The Beautification Boards advise the Council on budget
matters pertaining to parks, open spaces, entryways, and other community issues.
The various boards and commissions meet in public sessions. All Council