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2021 Budget Process Timeline: continuedDate Review 2021 Fee Schedule11/9/2020 Final Budget Hearing (Truth-in-Taxation Hearing)11/23/2020 Adopt Final EDA Tax Levy12/7/2020 Adopt Final Budget, Tax Levy, Utility Rates, & Fee Schedule12/7/2020 21 22 23 In conjunction with this same calendar, the Finance Commission has several budget-related discussions 24 tentatively scheduled on their upcoming 2020 Workplan. They include: 25 26 May 12, June 9: Review Proposed 2021-2040CIP 27 August 18: Review 2021 City Manager Recommended Budget & Tax Levy 28 October 13: Review Proposed 2021 Utility Rates 29 30 Discussion on Budget Information Packages 31 In addition to setting the budget calendar, the Council is also asked to identify the types of information 32 packages it needs in order to make informed budgetary decisions.During last year’s budget process, the 33 Council received over a dozen separate information packages that featured over 500 pages of content. 34 This was similar to prior years. 35 36 While the Council is encouraged to review any and all materials that prove beneficial to the decision- 37 making process, Staff has observed that over the past few years the majority of budget discussionsappear 38 to be generated by a subset of the documents compiled. As a result, staff is seeking additional guidance 39 on which pieces of information and what level of detail is most important to the group. 40 41 Perhaps a good working example might be the information package that was prepared last August in 42 conjunction with the 2020 City Manager Recommended Budget (see Attachment A). This package 43 featured a 4-page staff report accompanied by a 16-page presentation. It also included five supplementary 44 pieces that totaled an additional 19 pages. Based on the meeting minutesand video, all of the conversation 45 points were driven by the summary information contained in the Staff Report and presentation. 46 47 In deciding on which types of information packages to use, we should remain mindful of the importance 48 of transparency and clarity associated with the budget process. Ensuring the public’s trust is critical and 49 we have a responsibility to demonstrate the need for property taxes and fees. It’s conceivable however, 50 thatthe public’s level of understanding may be more heavily influenced by the broader narrative than it 51 is by the volumes of data. 52 P OLICY O BJECTIVE 53 It is recommended that the City continue to adhere to budgeting best practices including a commitment 54 to formally incorporate the public’s input, understanding long-term budget impacts, and communicating 55 the City’s intentions early and throughout the budget process. 56 F INANCIAL I MPACTS 57 Not applicable. 58 S TAFF R ECOMMENDATION 59 Not applicable. 60 R EQUESTED C OUNCIL A CTION 61 The Council is asked to provide guidance on the 2021 Budget calendar, and the types of information Page 2 of 3