Bainbridge city council looks at schedule for biennium budget

The Bainbridge Island City Council will begin tackling the 2013-2014 proposed budget this month.

Starting Sept. 26, the council will deliberate over the budget every week at its regularly scheduled meetings.

If the council stays on the schedule proposed by city staff, the new budget should be approved on Nov. 19.

The council, however, has the opportunity to ask questions and deliberate on specific budget items throughout the process.

The council's proposed budget schedule is:

• Sept. 26: Interim City Manager Morgan Smith and Financial Director Ellen Schroer will get things rolling with an overview of city finances.

• Oct. 3: The council will delve deeper into the numbers with a presentation on key budget assumptions for tax-supported and utility budgets. A presentation on revenue assumptions and a financial capacity analysis will be made as well.

• Oct. 10: The council will be primed on community organizations, professional services and general government items for consideration during the budget process.

• Oct. 17: The council will have its first readings on ordinances for 2013 property taxes, the capital improvement plan and the 2013-2014 budget.

• Oct. 24: The council will deliberate and continue to adjust the proposed budget.

• Nov. 7: The council will vote on second readings of the ordinances for 2013 property taxes and the capital improvement plan. It will also have a second reading of the 2013-2014 budget.

• Nov. 14: The council will review the final proposed budget.

• Nov. 19: Third reading and adoption of budget.

The council will review the proposed schedule at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 5.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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