Streamlining City Services at Center of Budget Update

Commission Focused on Balanced Budget with Long-Term Vision

June 28, 2017

Today, the City Commission received an update on the City's budget, which was the 10th update in its ongoing budget series during Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17). As at the previous meeting when Commissioners voted unanimously to not increase the City millage rate from 4.1 mills, they again have voted unanimously to maintain the millage rate for the Downtown Improvement Authority at its current level of 1.0000 mills.

The budget planning process for FY18 continues to focus on improving efficiencies to streamline City services to achieve long-term savings. A major consideration being discussed is further consolidation of functional areas and departments, which will result in workforce reductions. As public safety is a high priority, the Commission remained dedicated to efforts that will enhance public safety. Additional items included in the budget discussion were employee benefit cost sharing, insourcing/outsourcing of tasks and reviewing fee-based City services.

The City is committed to a transparent budget process. The budget will be adopted through a multi-stage process that factors in the Municipal Cost Comparisons, City Commission priorities and input, public involvement and the status of the FY17 budget.

The next budget updates will be provided on July 19, September 13 and September 27. Information is always available through OpenGov and the City's online budget, both accessible through Talgov.com.