Georgetown's Non-Transparent Budget Process

The City has scheduled 2 special council meetings for July 16 and 17 to review the FY 2015/16 city budget and tax rate. Following is the agenda for both meetings.

City of Georgetown, Texas City Council Agenda July 17, 2015

SUBJECT:

Call to Order - A Special Meeting of the City Council Workshop overview, discussion and possible action regarding the FY 2015/16 City of Georgetown Budget and Tax Rate –- David S. Morgan, City Manager and Micki Rundell, Chief Financial Officer

ITEM SUMMARY:

The City Council Workshops on July 16th and 17th is an opportunity to review current estimates and strategies under consideration prior to the submission of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget. City staff will provide a review of anticipated revenues and expenditures for all the major funds of the budget and seek City Council’s feedback and direction as City staff prepares the final elements of the proposed budget. Discussion on the 2015 property tax rate will also occur, providing direction to staff to prepare the proposed FY 2015/2016 Annual Budget. Council workbooks will be delivered on Tuesday, July14, 2015. Presentation will be provided on the dais.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

A financial overview will be included as part of the discussion.

SUBMITTED BY:

David S. Morgan - City Manager Notice there is no advance information provided for the public. The first opportunity for the public to view the budget information will be at the July 16 meeting. The budget will again be discussed at the July 17 meeting. Again no advance budget information is provided. Contact your City Councilperson and demand they restructure this budget process to provide the presentations in advance of the public meetings so that citizens can provide informed inputs to the budget process.