The 2019 budget is guided by the City Commission’s strategic plan which contains seven critical success factors:
- Effective Governance & Professional Administration
- Safe, Healthy & Welcoming Neighborhoods
- Innovative Infrastructure & Asset Management
- Commitment to Core Services
- Sound Fiscal Stewardship
- Collaborative Solutions
- Economic Growth and Security
Annual Budget Process
City staff begins the budget preparation in early February. In May staff will present a proposed Capital Improvement Plan. In June the City Manager will present his recommended budget to the City Commission. During this time and in the following months feedback will be collected and adjustments will be made as necessary. In July staff will bring forward updated revenue projections so that the budget can be adopted in August. As staff presentations are available, they will be posted here.
The current budget calendar can be found here.
Upcoming Budget Meetings
- May 8: Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Presentation
- June 12: City Manager’s Recommended Budget Presentation
- July 10: Budget with Updated Revenue Projections Presentation
- July 17: Establish Maximum Expenditures and Authorize Publication of the 2019 Budget
- August 7: Public Hearing
Get Involved
The budget process involves many constituents. The City will use Lawrence Listens to collect feedback about budget priorities. The findings will be presented to the City Commission at a future work session. As more details are available, they will be posted here.
Additionally, feedback can be provided at future budget meetings through public comment or by submitting written comments through our regular agenda process.
Outside Agency Funding
Each year, the City provides an opportunity for outside agencies to submit funding requests as part of the budget process. The application to request funding for 2019 is now closed. The Social Service Funding Advisory Board, Public Incentives Review Committee, and City staff will review the submitted applications and include recommendations as part of the City Manager’s Recommended Budget. The final funding decisions will be made by the City Commission when they adopt the 2019 budget in August. A full list of outside agency requests will be posted online once they are available.
