 | A topical index to MRSC's information resources. |
Finance: F 3.2000 - Budget procedures, budget policies
Electronic Documents (3 Results)
- Budget Policies from 2009-2010 Budget
Policy/Procedure | Document Date: 10/08
Jurisdiction: Auburn - Comprehensive financial and budget policies
Policy/Procedure | Document Date: 5/08
Jurisdiction: Sumner - Resolution No. 2006-35 - Establishes budget policies for the preparation of the 2007 budget
Policy/Procedure | Document Date: 7/06
Jurisdiction: Bainbridge Island
Paper Documents (2 Results)
- "Policy, not pencils," By Patrick L. Dugan. Western Planner (Planning and Finance Series), April/May 2003, p.5
Request this document | Document Date: 4/03 - "What's wrong with budgeting? A framework for evaluating andfixing public sector financial planning processes," by Peter Chrsitensen, Jeff McElravy and Rowan Miranda. Government Finance Review, October 2003, pp. 11-20
Request this document | Document Date: 10/03
MRSC Library Catalog Documents
Featured Inquiries (4 Results)
- Do cities and counties need to have a public hearing to amend the budget?
It may be good public policy, but there is no statutory requirement for cities to have hearing. Counties, however, do need a public hearing for all "emergency" amendments made under RCW 36.40.140. - What are the consequences of not adopting the budget by December 31?
Your jurisdiction is likely to get an audit finding.
State law requires that cities adopt a budget in its final form and content "prior to the beginning of the fiscal year" or "fiscal biennium." RCW 35.33.075, RCW 35.34.120, RCW 35A.33.075, RCW 35A.34.120. There is no similar language in the county budget statutes, but RCW 36.40.071 states that the final budget hearing must begin no later than the first Monday in December and RCW 36.40.070 provides that the hearing last no more than five days, after which the budget is adopted. In practice, the State Auditor's Office is happy if it is passed by December 31.
If no budget is passed before the fiscal year or biennium begins, the city or county will, legally, be unable to make any expenditures at all. Practically, essential police and fire department functions, at least, would need to be provided and the city or county would be spending illegally. We advise cities and counties to pass something. The budget can be amended in the coming year.
- What procedures do we need to follow if we are planning to increase our property taxes?
In addition to holding a hearing to discuss this increase, all taxing districts must pass a separate ordinance or resolution authorizing the increase in both dollars and percentage. RCW 84.55.120. This provision was added by the passage of Referendum 47 in 1997. You can write your own or download a form from the Department of Revenue Web site www.dor.wa.gov. Type 64 0101 in the search window in the upper right corner. There is a space between the "0" and "1". - Do we need to have a hearing on revenue sources and possible property tax increases for the budget?
Yes. In 1995, language was added to RCW 84.55.120 that provided that a all taxing districts must hold a hearing on revenues and discuss any property tax increase. This hearing must be held even if your taxing district does not plan to increase property taxes.
If the only proposed increase in tax revenue will come from new construction and increases in state-assessed utility revenue, this increase should be discussed at the hearing.
Subject Pages (4 Results)
- Financial/Budget Policies
Sample municipal financial/budget policies - Excerpt from Budget Suggestions for 1996 regarding the Chief Administrative Officer
The proposed preliminary budget must be given to the council no later than the first Monday in October. - Budget Calendar - Cities
Budget calendar for preparation of budgets in First (Under 300,000), Second, and Fourth Class municipalities and code cities - Budget Calendar - Counties
Budget calendar for preparation of budgets for non-charter counties.