Budget Basics

Proposed Annual Budget
Fiscal Year 2014

City Council will be reviewing, discussing, and possibly refining the City of Springfield's proposed Annual Budget in April and May. The proposed Annual Budget reflects the time period July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014. The budget is proposed by the City Manager for City Council's consideration.

Download the Fiscal Year 2014 (2013-14)Proposed Annual Budget (11.9 mb).

Download the Fiscal Year 2014 (2013-14)Proposed Annual Budget Summary (4.3 mb).

What is the budget?

The budget is a plan. It is a financial proposal that annually directs the provision of public services and facilities. Once finalized and adopted, this plan represents the City Manager's and City Council's commitment to provide for the most important citizen needs within the boundaries of available revenue (funds). The money collected by the City from taxes, grants, fees, and many other sources to pay for this plan is called revenue. The money spent on salaries, materials, and equipment to provide these planned services and facilities is called appropriations (planned expenditures). By City law, revenues and expenditures must be equal in the Annual Budget. This is what is meant by a balanced budget. The proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget is a balanced budget.

How are spending decisions made?

The proposed Annual Budget is put forth by the City Manager with extensive input from City staff. A series of budget workshops allow City Council time to discuss and consider the budget in detail and put forth any suggested changes. Council must approve a final budget before the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

The proposed Annual Budget is summarized in the City Manager's budget message to Council members (2.7 mb) at the beginning of the document.

What is the budget timeline?

City Council will use its Tuesday, April 23 lunch meeting to hold the first of several workshops to discuss the Fiscal Year 2014 Proposed Annual Budget. The meeting begins at noon in the 4th floor conference room of the Busch Municipal Building and is open to the public, although it is not a "public hearing" where citizens can comment on the proposed budget. Citizens will be able to comment on the proposed budget during the first reading of the budget during an upcoming City Council meeting, which will occur whenever Council is ready to place it on the agenda.

Two more Council workshops are scheduled for noon Tuesdays, May 7 and 14. A fourth workshop, if needed, is tentatively scheduled for noon, May 21.