At the May 8 council meeting, alderman Bob Thomas said, “We are the fiduciary entity responsible for the money in this city, and I think it is appropriate for us to have a defined process for how the budget is developed.”
Mayor Butch Berry responded he develops the budget from information he gets from department heads, then presents it to council for review and approval. By law he must present the budget by Dec. 1.
Thomas stated that as a principal, he developed a budget under guidelines given him by the school board. All he wanted was for council to establish guidelines for having the budget given to council by the first meeting in December, for example.
Alderman Mickey Schneider reiterated that department heads give budget information to the mayor, then Finance Director Lonnie Clark has his hand in developing a draft budget, and it goes to council as the last stop. She said there are guidelines. Thomas responded he would like to see the guidelines.
David Mitchell pointed out that council has been getting the draft budget earlier than in previous years. He said the budget starts at the ground level with the needs of department heads, and works its way up to the mayor. Council has opportunities to question department heads, so, in his estimation council has retained its fiduciary responsibility.
Berry stated he has tried to get the draft budget to council as early as October so alderman can participate. There is also a mid-year review.
Thomas said he was looking at what council needs to do its job, and his view is toward a long-term established process. He is looking for what is the best way council can do its job.
Alderman Terry McClung claimed council had the draft budget before Dec. 1 every year recently, and there has been a working budget as early as September or October, as the mayor gets department heads working on their individual components and the budget comes together. Council fine-tunes, and throughout the year council has workshops and the mid-year review. “I don’t know what else we can do,” he commented.
Thomas remarked he was okay with how the budget was developed last year and the year before, and he probably will be okay with how it works this year. His point was establishing a process so future aldermen would know what to expect.
Kristi Kendrick suggested Thomas bring them particulars of what he is asking for, but Thomas replied, “I don’t think this council is capable of moving away from us and Butch Berry, so I’m dropping the subject.”
Mitchell pointed out whatever process is established will not have legal standing unless they pass an ordinance on it.