Budget Process |
|
This page contains information on the budget process for Douglas County, Kansas.
Four Step Process
The County has a four step process for the budget:
Step 1 (April):
Department heads and agencies request amounts needed for their operations. Written explanations regarding any changes affecting their situations, including the impact of budget targets established by County Commissioners must accompany the request.
Step 2 (May and June):
Each department head and agency designee meet individually with the County Administrator and budget staff to discuss and justify their requests.
Step 3 (July):
The County Administrator presents a recommended budget which includes many options for additions and deletions to the County Commissioners. As part of the consideration process, the Commission holds several meetings where agencies, department heads, and citizens discuss the recommended budget and offer/suggest possible additions and deletions. Near the end of July, the County Commission provides directions to the County Administrator regarding the final recommended budget.
Step 4 (August):
The final step of the budget process is to hold a public hearing after which the budget is formally adopted.
Budget Revisions After Adoption
The departments are allowed to request line item adjustments within their budget, as long as it does not increase the published budget authority. If the budget needs to be increased to allow unplanned expenditures, the Commission must approve an amendment to the budget before the end of the year. Budget amendments as authorized by K.S.A. 79-2929a are permitted to increase the original budget for previously unbudgeted increases in revenue other than AdValorem property tax. Certain revenue is exempt from the budget law, not requiring to amend the budget.
Forms & Documents
- Budget Process In-Depth (PDF format)
- Budget Timeline (PDF format)
