What is the Process for Developing the Annual Budget?

The annual budget process is virtually a year-round process as shown in the Budget Process Overview graphic below (click on graphic to enlarge ).

Refresh Strategic Plan (January)

During this time period, the BCC refreshes its strategic plan. This timing enables departments to build their budget request to align with the refreshed strategic plan. To help inform the BCC in advance of their strategic planning workshop, departments may present to the BCC a report of their ongoing and newly developed tactics or “Doing Things” - projects and programs - that link back to the strategic plan. This process ensures that departments and agencies under the BCC link the various projects and programs funded in the Annual Budget to the five goals of the strategic plan, also ensuring that sound strategy is linked to the big picture driving budget decisions.

Financial Forecast (January/February)

After the fiscal year starts, the initial step in the annual budget process is to update the Forecast in order to develop the budget guidelines for the upcoming budget process.  

The Forecast is built upon an individual assessment of 10 of the County’s major funds: the General Fund, the Tourist Development Fund, the Transportation Trust Fund, the Capital Projects Fund, the Emergency Medical Services Fund, the Airport Fund and the Water, Sewer, Solid Waste, and Surface Water Funds.

Developing the Forecast includes:

• Updating the projections for the prior fiscal year with actual revenue and expenditure information following the year-end closeout.
• Current fiscal year revenues and expenditures are projected on a preliminary basis by analyzing the actual year-to-date numbers and projecting the remaining months left in the fiscal year. These projections are further refined later in the process as departments provide their projections for revenues and expenditures.
• The forecast for the upcoming budget year is based on available information and forms the underlying basis for developing the strategy to balance the budget.
• The Forecast’s multi-year horizon helps determine the long-term financial position of the County’s funds as well as the impact of today’s budget decisions on the future.
• The “out-years” (additional 5 years) are forecasted using various projection methods such as trend analysis, linear regression and moving averages. Developing a multi-year forecast provides decision-makers with at least three key benefits: 
  • Assessing the long-term financial sustainability of the County’s funds;
    
  • Understanding the impact of today’s decisions on the future; and
    
  • Providing a holistic financial picture.

Targets/Budget Guidelines (February)

The targets or budget guidelines are developed by County Administration based on the Financial Forecast. These are communicated to the County's departments and agencies for use during their budget development. All instructions and resources for preparing budget requests are also distributed.

Budget Submissions (March/April)

County departments and agencies submit their completed budget submissions except for the Constitutional Officers who have a due date of May 1. The budget submissions are analyzed by the Office of Management and Budget in preparation for budget work sessions with the BCC.

Budget Work Sessions (April/May/June)

Various budget work sessions are held with the BCC to obtain feedback necessary to develop the Proposed Budget such as millage rate policy, proposed program enhancements or reductions, and revenue adjustments.

Proposed Budget (July)

The Proposed Budget is prepared by the County Administrator based on direction acquired from the various budget work sessions with the BCC and priorities in the County's Strategic Plan. The Proposed Budget document presents a balanced budget for the coming year.

Public Hearings to Adopt Budget (September)

Once the Proposed Budget is distributed, additional budget work sessions may be held to provide further guidance to the County Administrator. All changes to the Proposed Budget are finalized and announced at each of the public hearings. The public hearings represent an opportunity for citizens to provide input to the BCC regarding the budget process. At the first public hearing the BCC approves the tentative millages and budgets. At the second public hearing the BCC approves the adopted millages and budgets.

Adopted Budget (October)

The new fiscal year begins based on the Adopted Budget and the annual budget process ends.

For specific dates applicable to the current budget process, see the Budget Timetable.

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