Budget Cycle

The budget cycle is a sequence of events covering the life of a budget from beginning to end; from the City Manager's review of prior year accomplishments and future initiatives, to the City Council acceptance of the independent audit. The budget cycle is approximately twenty-six months long. The critical dates are spelled out in State law: March 15 is when the budget for the following fiscal year must be adopted by the City Council; and July 1 as the beginning of the fiscal year. Throughout the entire budget cycle, public input is encouraged to insure the adopted budget is citizen-based. The budget cycle can be summarized as follows:

Spring
• City Council formulates negotiation strategy for collective bargaining.

August-September
• City Manager recommends budget carryover amendment for City Council approval.
• City Manager, along with Department Managers, review fiscal year accomplishments and identify future initiatives City Council consideration during goal setting.
• City Council holds 2-day goal setting to develop Vision and Mission statements, identify 5 year goals and establish Policy agenda including Top Priorities for upcoming fiscal year and Management Agenda/special projects.

October-November
• City departments prepare Capital Improvement project information and budget requests for review by City Manager.
• City departments prepare operating budget requests for review by City Manager.

November
• City Manager presents 5-year projection and draft Policy guidelines to City Council for City Council approval.
• City Manager holds Public Input meeting to review issues and priorities for the CIP budget and the operating budget.

December
• City Manager and Budget Director analyze, review and balance CIP and operating budget requests and prepare final budget recommendation.

January-February
• City Council holds public meetings to review recommended budget by department. Meetings are held in the evening and are available for live viewing
on CityChannel Dubuque.

March
• City Council holds final public hearing on the recommended. The meeting is held in the evening and is available for live viewing on CityChannel Dubuque..
• City Council adopts budget and city staff certifies budget by March 15 in compliance with State law.

April
• Budget Director reviews budgeted revenues and expenses and recommends adjustments to more accurately reflect the anticipated revenues and expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30.
• City Council reviews and approves an amended fiscal year budget and city staff certifies the budget amendments by May 31 in compliance with State law.