Title
Budget Calendar (NB)
The City Commission to approve dates for discussion of the FY2019 budget.
Explanation
Staff requests the City Commission approve dates to discuss items related to the FY2019 budget. Topics of discussion will include an updated Capital Improvement Plan, Fire Assessment, Millage Rate and the Budget.
In response to feedback and suggestions received prior to and during last year’s budget process, staff is recommending shifting the budget discussions and deliberations earlier in the calendar year to primarily occur in the spring, with an approval of the proposed tentative budget and millage rate for General Government to occur in July, in accordance with the State Department of Revenue’s Truth in Millage requirements.
GRU will set their July budget dates in a separate item.
Staff requests the City Commission approve the following dates:
02/08/2018 - 1:30pm - 5:00pm - Budget planning workshop, FY2017 Look Back-Big Wins
04/24/2018 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm General Government: Looking Forward & CIP; 4:00 - 5:30pm GRU - Budget
05/08/2018 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm General Government; 3:30pm - 5:00pm GRU - Budget
05/15/2018 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm General Government; 3:30pm - 5:00pm GRU - Budget
05/22/2018 - 2:00pm - 4:00pm General Government; 4:00pm - 5:30pm GRU - Budget
05/23/2018 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm General Government; 3:30pm - 5:00pm GRU - Budget
07/17/2018 - 1:30pm - 3:30pm General Government; 3:30pm - 5:00pm GRU - Budget
Adopt GRU Tentative FY19 Budget
Adopt Preliminary Fire Assessment Rate, by resolution,
Set Proposed Tentative Millage Rate, by resolution,
Adopt Proposed Tentative GG FY19 Budget
09/06/2017 - 6:00pm - Adopt Final Fire Assessment Rate, Adopt Ordinances on 1st reading related to Fee or Rate Changes (if any), Hold 1st Public Hearing to Adopt Budgets and Set Millage Rate for FY2019
09/20/2017 - 6:00pm - Adopt Ordinances on 2nd reading related to Fee or Rate Changes (if any), 2nd Public Hearing to Adopt Budgets and Set Millage Rate for FY2019.
Staff suggests the City Commission set the Preliminary Fire Assessment Rate immediately after the budget discussion on July 17, 2018, as well as the set the Proposed Tentative Millage and adopt Proposed Tentative Budgets immediately after budget discussions on July 17, 2018, which will require the City Commission to waive the rules to hear the Resolutions before 6:00pm.
Truth in Millage or TRIM requirements set forth in State Statutes require that various taxing authorities hold their public hearings on different dates and/or times in order to allow taxpayers to attend each hearing and provide feedback if desired. Taxing Authorities that cross multiple jurisdictions are given first priority on setting their public hearing dates. As a result, The City of Gainesville is required to set their public hearing dates in September so as not to conflict with the County, the School Board, the Library District and the Water Management Districts. In the event a conflict arises, staff will submit a revised schedule for September 2018 requesting alternative special meeting dates. These potential conflicts will not be known until July 2018.
Fiscal Note
The cost of conducting these meetings is available in the FY 2018 Operating Budget.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) Approve the dates requested by staff; 2) Waive the City Commission Rules to hear the Resolutions to approve the Preliminary Fire Assessment Rate before 6:00pm on July 17, 2018; and 3) Waive the City Commission Rules to hear the Resolutions to Set the Proposed Tentative Millage and Adopt the Proposed Tentative Budgets before 6:00pm on July 17, 2018.