Whether Federal, State, or local the role of governments is to allocate limited resources to programs and services that support its residents. Most municipal budgets outline the city’s fiscal priorities, largely based on the strategic plan, and serve to guide future expenditures and business operations. As the sole source for the allocation of limited resources and funds that support a wide variety of city services, pension programs, welfare programs and the like, the budget is one of the most important functions of local governments.
The municipal budget is a plan of estimated income and expenses for the upcoming year, which typically covers a twelve-month period, but may not follow a January to December calendar cycle. Both Flint and Beverly Hills operate on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year with both budget cycles beginning in January and ending with budget adoption in June. Each city’s annual budget is well integrated with the planning, operational and management functions of their respective organizations
Flint, Michigan
The City of Flint has been in a state of receivership since the Governor’s declaration of a …show more content…
The City Council comprises nine members and its highest priority is to review and adopt the City’s budget. The Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer who is elected to four year terms and appoints the City Administrator. The City provides a full range of services across 32.8 square miles that include police and fire services, infrastructure construction and maintenance, recreational and cultural services, water, sewer and sanitation services. The City of Flint is financially accountable for the City of Flint Board of Hospital Managers; Flint Downtown Development Authority; City of Flint Economic Development Corporation; and the Flint Area Enterprise Community. (Scorsone, Bateson Case Study: City of Flint Michigan, September