Page 29 - ClearGov | Documents
P. 29

Budg et Process


           The   City   of   Colleyville   employs   a   structured   and   transparent   budget   process   to   ensure   that   {nancial   resources   are
           allocated   ef{ciently   and   in   alignment   with   the   City ’s   strategic   goals.   The   process   involves   multiple   stages,   including
           preparation,   review,   public   input ,   and   formal   adoption   by   the   City   Council.   The   procedures   also   include   mechanisms   for
           amending the budget after its adoption.

           Budget Preparation

           The  {scal   year  for  the  City   of   Colleyville  runs   from   October  1   through  September   30,  as  mandated  by   the   City  Char ter.   The
           City   Manager   is   responsible   for   preparing   and   submitting   a   proposed   budget   to   the   City   Council,   along   with   an
           accompanying  budget   message.  The   preparation   of   the   budget   is   overseen   by  the  Budget  Team,   which  includes   the  City
           Manager,   two   Assistant   City   Managers,   the   Finance   Director,   and   the   Human   Resources   Director.   The   City   employs   a
           traditional   line -item   budget   approach,   providing   a   high   level   of   detail   and   accountability.   Each   depar tment   presents   a
           base  budget   that  outlines   the  necessary   funding   to   maintain   current  ser vice   levels,   as   well   as   supplemental  requests   for
           program  additions,  enhancements,  or   capital   needs.   These   submissions   are   reviewed   and  evaluated  by  the  Budget  Team
           to ensure they align with the City Council’s goals and objectives, improve management effectiveness, and enhance ser vice
           delivery to residents.

           Budget Review and Public Input


           The   proposed   budget   is   presented   to   the   City   Council   during   a   series   of   work   sessions.   These   sessions   are   open   to   the
           public ,  and  depar tment  heads  are  available  to  respond  to  questions  from  the  Council.  The  proposed  budget  is  also  made
           available   for   public   inspection   on   the   City ’s   website,   and   notices   of   public   hearings   are   published   in   local
           newspapers.   Public   hearings   are   held   at   two   consecutive   regular   City   Council   meetings,   providing   residents   with   the
           oppor tunity   to   offer  input   on   the   proposed   budget .   This   input  is  essential  to   ensuring  that   the   budget   re|ects   the   needs
           and   priorities   of   the   community.   The   City   also   engages   various   citizen   boards   to   obtain   direct   input   during   the   budget
           process, ensuring broad community involvement .

           Budget Adoption

           Following   the   public   hearings,   the   City   Council   may   adopt   the   proposed   budget ,   with   or   without   amendments.   The
           budget  ordinance  must  be  enacted  by  September  30  and  requires  a  majority  vote  of  the  Council.  The  adoption  of  the  tax
           rate  ordinance  occurs  concurrently  with  the  budget  ordinance,  ensuring  that  the  budget  is  fully  funded.  The  City  strives  to
           set  the  lowest  tax   rate  possible   while  maintaining   the  high  level  of  ser vice   expected   by   residents.  Any  tax   rate   increase   is
           only requested when necessary.

           Budget Amendment Process

           Amendments  to  the  current  year ’s  budget  can  be  made  through  an  ordinance  presented  to  the  City  Council  at  a  regularly
           scheduled   meeting.   Similar   to   the   initial   budget   adoption   process,   public   hearings   are   held   at   two   consecutive   regular
           Council  meetings  before   the   amendment  is  voted   on.   Once   approved,   the   ordinance  amending   the   budget   becomes   an
           attachment to the original budget document .  Per Section 9.04 D of the City Char ter, the City Manager has the authority to
           transfer   unencumbered   appropriation   balances   within   a   depar tment ,   division,   or   of{ce.   Additionally,   upon   the   City
           Manager's  written  request ,  the  Council  may  transfer  unencumbered  appropriation  balances  from  one  depar tment ,  of{ce,
           or agency to another by ordinance.

           Budget Policies and Guidelines

           The  City ’s  budget  process  is  guided  by  a  set  of  policies  and  guidelines  aimed  at  ensuring  {scal  responsibility  and  strategic
           alignment:




                FY 2025-2026 Annual Budget | Colleyville                                                   Page 29
   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34