Chapter 15 – A Focus on Mayors & Councils
15.9 Inside the Budget Process – Mayor and Council at Work
A city budget is a plan that details how a city will spend its money over a year. It includes how much money the city expects to earn and how it will be used for things like public services, roads, and other community needs. The budget helps ensure the city manages its finances responsibly and meets the needs of its residents.
The budget process for a city government with a mayor-council system involves several steps and key players.
- First, the mayor, who is the city’s chief executive, starts by creating a proposed budget. This budget is a plan for how the city will earn and spend money in the next year. The mayor works with leaders from different city departments and financial experts to decide what the priorities are, such as public safety, roads, and social services, while making sure the city stays within its financial limits.
- After the mayor has created the proposed budget, it is sent to the city council for review. The city council, which acts like the city’s legislature, carefully examines the budget and holds public meetings to hear from citizens and other stakeholders. During these meetings, council members ask questions, discuss potential changes, and make sure the budget addresses the community’s needs. This part of the process involves a lot of discussions and compromises, as the council members work to balance the mayor’s plan with the wishes of the people they represent.
- The final step is the approval of the budget. Once the city council finishes its review and makes any necessary changes, they vote on the budget. If the majority approves it, the budget becomes the official plan for the city’s finances. The mayor then ensures that city departments follow this plan and use the funds as intended. Throughout the year, the city council keeps an eye on how the budget is being used by receiving regular reports and conducting audits. This ongoing interaction between the mayor and the city council helps maintain transparency and accountability in how the city’s money is managed.
Watch this short video from the New York City Council that explains the city’s budget process. While it uses some technical terms, it gives a good overview of the steps involved in creating and approving the city’s budget. Although New York City is huge, cities in Ohio, whether big or small, implement a similar basic process:
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8osuI2Rbo
Duration: 1:06
In summary, a city budget is a detailed financial plan for how a city will earn and spend money over a year, focusing on public services, infrastructure, and community needs. The budgeting process in a mayor-council system involves the mayor creating a proposed budget, which the city council reviews, adjusts, and approves, ensuring financial responsibility and addressing community priorities.
