Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Proposed 2021 Budget available for review
The city has completed its Proposed 2021 Budget.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city will adopt a one-year budget for 2021, rather than the normal two-year budgeting process. More information can be found here.
This proposal is a starting point for a discussion with City Council and our community around the city’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis. This proposal will have many revisions with Council input, community input, and potential changes in the city’s revenue outlook.
City Council’s recent adoption of Emergency Ordinance 27 extended the deadline for the 2021 budget adoption until Nov. 30. This extension will allow for additional input from residents, more financial analysis and extensive review by Council in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Staff appreciates this additional time in the budget process as we navigate these difficult circumstances together.
This Proposed Budget will be more succinct than in years past due to the shorter production time created by a volatile economic environment. Staff expect the Proposed Budget to be the beginning of the budget work, not the end.
The City Charter requirement deadline of Sept. 15 for the City Manager’s presentation of the Proposed Budget to Council was not changed with the emergency ordinance. Council will review the 2020 and 2021 financial forecast and the fiscal response to COVID-19 as proposed by staff at the Saturday, Sept. 19 Study Session.
A Monday, Oct. 5 budget Study Session will be a follow-up to Council’s Sept. 19 Study Session. Staff will be available for follow-up with Council after Oct. 5.
The city plans to hold two public hearings to receive input from the community on Monday, Sept. 28 and Monday, Oct. 26. The budget is planned to be adopted on Nov. 23.
The city's budget enables the city to meet its goals of providing excellent customer service, fostering efficient and cost-effective government, maintaining the city's healthy and stable financial position, and delivering high-quality services to meet residents' needs.
As adjustments are reviewed and finalized with the 2021 Budget, minor adjustments in the final balancing may be necessary. Any additional recommended changes from this staff report will be highlighted in the agenda memorandum for City Council’s consideration prior to Nov. 30.