HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 12/01/2009 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 131, 2009, AMENDING DATE: December 1, 2009 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY IM
STAFF: Mike Freeman FORT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 131, 2009, Amending Chapter 8, Article I of the City Code to Establish the Budget
Term for the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Ordinance changes the next two-year budget term and all future two-year terms of the City budget. The City
Council has just adopted the 2010-2011 City budget. With the approval of this Ordinance, the next budget term will
be 2011-2012 and future two-year budget terms will begin in the odd-numbered years. The Budget process will take
place in the even-numbered years.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
On April 8, 1997,the electorate of the City approved certain amendments to the City Charter. One of the amendments
added language to Article V, Section 1 of the Charter to provide that the City Council shall set by ordinance the term
for which it shall adopt budgets in accordance with the provisions of Article V. Subsequently, Ordinance No. 092,
1997, which established a two-year budget beginning with the 1998-1999 City budget, was adopted by City Council.
Beginning in 2005,to prepare the 2006-2007 budget,the City began using the Budgeting for Outcomes(BFO)process.
BFO has a number of advantages over traditional budgeting approaches and helps the City meet several important
goals, including:
• Create clarity about the overall budget process for the community
• Allocate revenues to the highest priorities and outcomes citizens want and need
• Understand the choices for funding programs and services
• Emphasize staff accountability, efficiency, innovation and partnership
With the BFO process, City Council input and decisions are needed earlier in the process. The Council begins the
budget process, using citizen input, by determining the outcomes citizens want and need.
As the budget term is currently structured,the biennial budget process begins in the same year that Councilmembers
are facing an election and new members may be joining the City Council. In prior year budgets, this has meant
delaying parts of the budget process until after the Council election and Council retreat. It also gives new
Councilmembers almost no time to settle into their new role before they are required to make decisions that will affect
the next biennial budget.
Therefore, staff is requesting a change to the two-year budget term for a smoother budget process. With the approval
of this ordinance, the two-year budget term will now begin with the odd-numbered years and budget preparation will
take place in the even-numbered years. The City Council has just adopted the 2010-2011 City budget. The next
budget term will be 2011-2012 and future two-year budget terms will begin in the odd-numbered years.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
ORDINANCE NO . 131 , 2009
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ARTICLE I OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ESTABLISH THE BUDGET TERM FOR THE CITY
WHEREAS , under Article III, Section 2 of the City Charter, the City Manager is responsible
for preparing, submitting and administering the budget and for making recommendations to City
Council about the financial condition and future needs of the City; and
WHEREAS , Article V, Section I of the City Charter provides for City Council to set by
ordinance the term of its budget; and
WHEREAS , Section 8- 1 of the City Code presently states that beginning in 1997 the City
Manager shall file with the City Clerk a proposed biannual budget before the first Monday in
September; and
WHEREAS , the City Manager has recommended to City Council that the two-year term of
the budget should begin in even-numbered years to facilitate accurate and timely input on the
budget; and
WHEREAS , the City Council wishes to accept the recommendation of the City Manager and
adopt an ordinance to that effect.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS, that Section 8- 1 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins is hereby amended to read as
follows :
Sec. 8- 1 . Term of the budget.
On or before the first Monday in September, commencing in 2010 and every
other year thereafter, the City Manager shall file with the City Clerk a proposed
budget for the City for the ensuing two-year term. Said budget shall conform to the
requirements of the Charter and shall be processed by the City Council in the manner
described therein.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 1 st day of
December, A.D . 2009, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th day of December, A.D .
2009 ,
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th day of December, A.D . 2009 .
Mayor
ATTEST :
City Clerk