Developing the City's Annual Budget

One way to evaluate Stillwater’s success is to look at the amount of sales/use tax revenue that is generated. The City of Stillwater uses this revenue to fund essential services, invest in future growth and provide safe and stable infrastructure for all of Stillwater. This is how we pay for police, fire, library, parks, roads.

Developing an annual budget calls for the City Manager’s Office to work closely with the Stillwater City Council and city departments to enact a balanced budget by the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. (Learn more about the Budget Cycle.)

The City's Annual Budget consists of two primary components: The Operating Budget and The Community Investment Program's Planning Budget.

The Operating Budget

The Operating Budget is developed in stages. 

• Stage 1:  City Manager's Proposed Operating Budget. (Budget Cycle 1: January–March/Budget Preparation)
  Each year, the Operating Budget starts with the City Manager's Proposed Operating Budget. The proposed budget includes departmental budgets and proposed funding for projects, services, and initiatives. The city manager then forwards the proposed operating budget to City Council for public hearings and possible revisions.  

• Stage 2:  Adopted Budget. (Budget Cycle 2: April–June/Council Approval) 
  The City Manager's Proposed Operating Budget becomes the Adopted Budget after City Council passes a resolution to adopt it, usually at a meeting in May or June. An important aspect of the Adopted Budget is that it sets expenditure limits for the year.
  
  A pdf version of the Adopted Budget can be found in the Document Center.

• Stage 3: Operating Budget. (Budget Cycle 3: July 1–June 30/Implementation)
  On July 1 the Adopted Budget becomes the Operating Budget, which will include modifications such as carryforwards, budget amendments and revisions, and encumbrances that city departments may make during the fiscal year. In other words, it is a working document that is monitored year-round and revised as needed to adjust for real-world circumstances.
  
  The city manager may make revisions to the Operating Budget up to $50,000, and City Council must approve revisions more than $50,000. Requests for amendments and revisions are posted as needed throughout the year in City Council meeting agendas.

The Community Investment Program's Planning Budget

• The Community Investment Program's (CIP) Planning Budget is the five-year plan for infrastructure and facility projects. This is sometimes referred to as a capital improvement plan. While some new projects still occur, Stillwater's main focus is on the renovation, expansion or upgrades to existing streets, utilities and buildings.

Content last reviewed 06.17.2020