HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2006-039
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Sponsored by: City Clerk
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2006-39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUBMITTING A PROPOSITION TO THE VOTERS AT THE
OCTOBER 3, 2006 REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION WHICH SHALL
AMEND THE SEWARD CITY CHARTER, SECTION 5.4 (d), SECTION 6.2
AND 6.3 TO REQUIRE A BIENNIAL BUDGET CYCLE
WHEREAS, the City of Seward currently operates under an annual budget cycle; and
WHEREAS, during 2006 budget discussions, the City Council expressed an interest in
moving to a biennial budget process in order to provide more opportunity for staff and Council to
focus on longer-term strategic and financial planning projects; and
WHEREAS, the administration agrees with Council's recommcndation that the Charter be
changed to require approval of a biennial, rather than annual, budget, in order to make more effective
use of scarce time and resources; and
WHEREAS, the modification of Charter language to mandate a biennial budget process
would not allow discretion to select between a one-year or two-year budget, but would instead
mandatc a two-year budget; and
WHEREAS, this resolution would provide the basis upon which to approve a future
ordinance amendment to SSC 2.20.035(9) and 2.25.045 (3) changing the reference from annual
budget to biemIial budget; and
WHEREAS, i [the voters approve the Charter change, an ordinance would be introduced to
the City Council to make corresponding and necessary changes to Chapter 5.05 ofthe Seward City
Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City Clerk is hereby directed to submit Proposition No. I to the voters at the
October 3, 2006 regular municipal election which would amend the Seward City Charter Sections
5.4 (d), 6.2 and 6.3.
Section 2. The question of the proposition shall be substantially in the following foml:
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2006-39
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PROPOSITION NO, 1
Shall the Seward City Charter 5.4 (d), 6.2 and 6.3 be amended to require a biennial City budget
rather than an annual City budget?
Yes
No
A ;'YES" vote approves the proposed amendment to Seward City Charter 5.4 Cd) Citv Manager,
Seward City Charter 6.2. Budget Statement of the City Manager and Seward City Charter 6.3
Budget adoption procedure and would change the budget adoption cycle from once each year
(annual) to once every two years (biennial).
A "NO" yote rejects all of the proposed amendments to Charter 5.4 (d), 6.2 and 6.3, and
maintains the current once-a-year (annual) budget cycle.
Section 3, This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 10th day of I
April, 2006.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
~t 4j+~
Vanta Shafer, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Valdatta, Lorenz, Thomas, Schafer, Bardarson
Dunham, Shafer
None
None
ATTEST:
(City Seal)
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Jean Lewis . )
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C~W Clerk
Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: April 10, 2006
To: Mayor, City Council
From: Jean Lewis, City Clerk
Kris Erchinger, Finance Director
Agenda Item: Charter Changes to require a biennial rather than
annual budget
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
During the 2006 budget process, the City Council indicated a desire to pursue a biennial budget cycle
rather than the current practice of producing an annual budget. The budget cycle is stipulated in the
City’s Charter, and a modification to the Charter requires a vote of the people. Therefore, we are
seeking Council authorization to present a proposition to the voters at the October 3, 2006 election,
in substantially the same form as approved at this Council meeting. This proposition seeks to modify
the Charter to require a biennial rather than annual, budget.
In the first year of a biennial budget process, the City Council is asked to approve the budget for the
next two years. The budget for the first of the two years, becomes the Council’s AUTHORIZED
budget. The budget for the second of the two years, becomes the Council’s APPROVED budget. At
the end of the first year, the Council and administration would engage in a thorough review of the
second years’ budget, making adjustments necessary to reflect unforeseen revenues and expenditures.
Council approval of the modifications would then constitute the AUTHORIZED budget for year two.
If the voters approve the proposed Charter changes, the administration will then submit subsequent
Ordinance change recommendations to the Council, to reflect the wishes of the voters, and officially
modify the City Charter.
INTENT: To change the City Charter to require a biennial rather than annual budget process.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the
Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council
Rules of Procedures.
Other: _______________________________________________________________________
FISCAL NOTE:
Changing to a biennial budget process will reduce the amount of time spent by the Council and the
administration in preparing annual budgets. Presently, the process of completing an annual budget
from beginning to end, takes approximately 5 months. A biennial budget process would be much
more efficient, and afford more time for staff and Council to focus on long-term fiscal planning rather
than on short-term budget preparation.
Approved by Finance Department: ___________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend city council pass Resolution 2006-39, requiring a biennial rather than annual budget
cycle, and placing this issue before the voters as a Proposition, at the October 3, 2006 regular city
election.