Fort Walton Beach — Fiscal Year 2019-20 Adopted Budget — reading text

difference between this budget and GAAP is that debt principal payments and capital outlay (i.e. fixed assets) are budgeted as expenditures for budgetary purposes, but depreciation and compensated absences are shown on the financial statements. Staff believes this provides a better day-to-day financial plan. However, all activity is recorded in the accounting system at year-end in accordance with GAAP. BUDGET PROCESS This budget continues the City’s commitment of using planning processes and citizen input as blueprints for providing services and programs for the betterment of the community. Planning Processes Frequency Description Budget Impact Comprehensive Long Range Plan - Provides direction to guide Budget expenditures (e.g. Plan developed in and control development and Capital Improvements Plan) 1990, updated in redevelopment, as required must be concurrent with the 2000 & 2011. per Florida Statute Chapter Comprehensive Plan. 163. Vision Plan Long Range Plan - Defines the broad, idealistic Outlines the general allocation developed in values that citizens cherish of resources to achieve the 1994, updated in and desire for their desired service levels and 2004 & 2011. community and creates quality of life. shared commitments among citizens, City Council, and staff. Strategic Plan Mid-to-Short Translates the Vision Plan Allows for the reallocation of Range Plan – first into current and future resources due to changing held in 2004 and priorities based on priorities or economic updated annually. importance to City Council conditions. and funding availability. Budget Policy Short Range Plan Defines changes to service Provides the framework for Workshop - held annually. levels or program objectives developing the current budget. based on City Council goals and available fiscal resources. Capital Short-to-Mid Provides estimated dates and Provides anticipated 5-year Improvement Range Plan - costs for the acquisition, funding level for facilities and Plan updated annually. construction, replacement, or infrastructure. renovation of facilities and infrastructure. City of Fort Walton Beach, FL 15 Roles & Responsibilities The budget process begins in January with the Finance Director and Budget & Grants Analyst developing five-year financial forecasts for the General and Enterprise Funds, including best, likely, and worst-case scenarios. Revenue assumptions are developed using financial forecasting software to analyze historical trends and account for any anticipated major economic or legislative changes. Revenue projections are continually updated until the budget is adopted to ensure the amounts are based on the most current information available. Expenditure assumptions are similarly developed in the forecast model considering relevant benchmark indices such as the municipal cost index, consumer price index, and producer price index. New programs and projects are also included to determine the future impact of current financial decisions. FISCAL YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST BEGINS DEVELOPED In March, the City Council, acting as the Legislative Body of Oct 1 Jan the City, holds a Strategic Planning Session. The goals set BUDGET BUDGET MEETING during this meeting, are used by staff to formulate the budget ADOPTION Sep Jun policy items that are presented to City Council in June and then utilized to prepare the Budget. A summary of this Plan can be PUBLIC BUDGET DEPARTMENT MEETINGS found on Page 57 of this document. In addition, the icons used WORKSHOPS Aug BUDGET May/Jun COMMITTEE to illustrate the strategic goals are seen throughout the budget REVIEW Jun/Jul to notate when a strategic objective is being met. A Budget Meeting is held with City Council in June to determine Council’s priorities and position issues specific to development of the operational and capital budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. City Council’s decisions provide the framework under which the budget is prepared to meet City Council’s programmatic objectives within available fiscal resources projected in the five-year forecasts. The meeting is open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend and participate. Department Directors are responsible for identifying their staffing needs, operational funding needs within budget development parameters, five (5) year capital requests, as well as corresponding revenue sources to fund their needs. In addition, they must conduct a comprehensive review of departmental goals, objectives, and metrics. The City Charter charges the City Manager with the duty of presenting a balanced budget to City Council. The budget is considered balanced if the total of all available financial resources (either on hand at the beginning of the year or generated during the year) equals or exceeds the total of all financial requirements. In order to accomplish this goal, a Budget Committee is formed comprised of the City Manager, Finance Director, and Budget & Grants Analyst. The Committee conducts comprehensive meetings with Department Directors to review their budget requests and a collaborative effort is undertaken to achieve City Council and department goals within fiscal constraints. The Budget Committee enlists assistance for areas of specialized interests, such as the Information Technology Manager for computer issues and the Human Resources Director for personnel and risk management issues. Department goals, objectives, and metrics are also evaluated during budget development to determine the effectiveness of program activities and appropriate funding levels. After the departmental meetings, the Budget Committee finalizes the proposed budget given revenue projections, economic conditions, funding requirements, and City Council program priorities and issues previously identified in the budget process. Once a balanced budget is achieved, it is presented to City Council for consideration. City of Fort Walton Beach, FL 16 Community Participation In prior years, the City solicited input annually from its residents and businesses to gauge citizen satisfaction and progress toward improving services. Due to the low response rate, the Public Information Manager is currently working on a citizen survey, which is being sent out and collected via mail. Responses will be presented to City Council and used to ensure resources are allocated to the most highly valued programs and activities. The City’s website and utility bills contain notices regarding the budget process and City Council’s budget meetings. City Council Budget Review BUDGET SCHEDULE The Mayor and City Council are January 2019 Five-Year Financial Forecasts Developed responsible for reviewing the proposed March 2019 Strategic Planning Session with City Council budget to ensure it meets the goals and May 2019 Department Budget Submissions objectives of the City, conducting Revenues Fee Schedule Personnel Operating Expenses meetings on the budget to enlist public Computers Equipment/Vehicles comment, and conducting public hearings Capital Improvement Projects prior to the final adoption of the budget. Current Year Accomplishments Budget Year Goals & Objectives Performance Measures In July, a budget meeting is held with the City Council to review and discuss the June 2019 Departmental Budget Reviews proposed budget. The City Manager July 2019 Capital/CIP Ranking Meeting reviews major issues and Department July 16, 2019 City Council Budget Policy Meeting Discussion Budget Issues Directors are present for the discussions Set Proposed Millage Rate for TRIM Notice and study of the proposed budget. The meeting is open to the public and the September 4, 2019 City Council Meeting – Adopt Tentative Millage Rate and Budget by Resolution public is encouraged to attend and September 18, 2019 City Council Meeting – Adopt Final Millage participate. Rate and Budget by Resolution During September, two public hearings on the millage (i.e. property tax) rate and budget are held per State Statute before final budget consideration. These meetings are advertised as part of the agenda and Florida Law requires certain newspaper advertisements prior to the second and final budget hearing. At the public hearings, the public may make formal comment either for or against the proposed budget and ask questions of City Council about the budget. Budget adoption occurs in September after City Council deliberations and two public hearings. City Council may take action to modify the proposed budget at its discretion. Prior to budget adoption, City Council must adopt a millage rate to support budgeted funding levels. An adopted budget is published no later than October 1st. Budget Maintenance Budget maintenance is a year-round activity of the Department Directors, Finance Director, and Budget & Grants Analyst. Spending control mechanisms include Finance Department review of purchase requisitions and departmental review of