City of Alexandria, Virginia
________________
MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of the Resolutions to Establish the FY 2017 Budget Guidance. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
BODY
_________________________________________________________________
ISSUE: Requesting Council consideration of the resolutions establishing the FY 2017 Budget Guidance for the operating and capital budgets, and the 10-year Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Adopt the proposed resolution (Attachment 1) updating the Process To Be Used to Adopt Operating Budgets and Capital Improvement Programs.
2. Adopt the FY 2017 Budget Guidance Resolution. (Attachment 2)
These resolutions would establish the framework for City Council’s deliberations for budget adoption, and give guidance to the City Manager to be used in his preparation of the Proposed FY 2017 Operating Budget and FY 2017-2026 Capital Improvement Program to be presented for Council consideration on February 23, 2016.
BUDGET PROCESS RESOLUTION (Attachment 1): Council has long had a resolution in place to frame the budget process roles and responsibilities of Council, City Manager and the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). At this time, the current in-place resolution is proposed only with one policy change. The resolution adopted for FY 2016 sequenced the major operating budget presentations as ACPS School Board adoption first and then followed by the City Manager’s proposed budget submission. Given the time frame of the ACPS budget adoption by the School Board, this pushed the City Manager’s proposed budget timing to early March which shortened the time available for City Council budget deliberations. For FY 2017 it is proposed that the City Manager’s budget presentation timing revert back to the FY 2015 and prior year practice of a City Manager’s budget presentation in February (February 23, 2016 for FY 2017) which is before the ACPS School Board adoption scheduled for March 3, 2016 for FY 2017.
BUDGET GUIDANCE RESOLUTION (Attachment 2): Council has long had a resolution in place that provided the City Manager with guidance for the preparation of the forthcoming budget and multi-year Capital Improvement Program. The proposed Budget Guidance Resolution for the FY 2017 to FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program reflect the same principles and features as did the FY 2016 Council adopted Budget Guidance Resolution except it directs the City Manager to propose amendments to the existing debt policy guidelines as well as directs that options be developed for potential funding of proposed public school capital needs for the FY 2017 through FY 2026 time period. Given the current major differences between City and School capital funding plans, the development of long-term funding options will help Council, ACPS and the community determine if and how the to-be School Board adopted Capital Plan or elements of it could be funded.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Budget Resolution Establishing the Process To Be Used to Adopt Operating Budgets and Capital Improvement Programs
Attachment 2: Setting Guidance for FY 2017 General Fund Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program for FY 2017 - FY 2026
STAFF:
Laura Triggs, Deputy City Manager
Morgan Routt, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB)