Danville City Council met Tuesday night, March 25, to continue its review of a draft version of the city’s budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
The process includes a department-by-department review. The departments reviewed last night were parks and recreation, police, fire and economic development. These departments were the final ones to be reviewed. All others have been reviewed in prior weeks.
The working draft of the budget was presented by City Manager Joe King to City Council earlier this month. This working draft maintains services, programs and facilities at current levels. The current real estate tax rate of 73 cents per $100 is maintained, and no fee increases are proposed. Use of cash reserves and moderate increases in debt financing make it possible to balance the budget.
Since King’s initial presentation, City Council has reviewed departmental budgets from the city manager and city attorney offices, and finance, human resources, utilities, public works, information technology, transportation, and community development. Constitutional and judicial office budgets also have been reviewed.
These preliminary budget deliberations have produced one change. That change is the removal of $125,000 that King proposed to spend to develop a master plan for park improvements throughout the River District.
The next step in the budget process is a formal public presentation. That presentation will take place at City Council's next meeting, which will be held Tuesday, April 1.
Following next week's presentation, the budget will be made available for public review and comment. Public hearings also will be scheduled.
Final adoption must take place no later than June 30. The final budget will serve as a blueprint for city operations from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015.
