City Budget Process
The City of Wayne continues to follow a formal and transparent budget process to ensure responsible management of public funds and alignment of City resources with community priorities.
The City’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, and planning for the upcoming budgets for the City, Airport Authority, and Community Redevelopment Authority is already underway.
I have begun the preliminary process of preparing budget spreadsheets and calculating figures based on year-end figures. I will be meeting soon with the City’s Finance Committee—Jason Karsky, Brittany Webber, Austyn Houser, and Wes Blecke—to review financial conditions and discuss priorities that will help guide development of the upcoming budget.
In June, Wes and I will meet with each department head to review current operations, discuss proposed projects, and evaluate departmental needs and requests for the coming fiscal year. These discussions play a critical role in shaping a budget that reflects both operational requirements and long-term community goals.
Following these department head meetings, a comprehensive draft budget is developed, incorporating projected revenues, operating expenses, capital improvement plans, and existing debt obligations.
Public engagement remains a key component of the process. Budget work sessions will be held in August in conjunction with regular City Council meetings, providing an opportunity for Council members and the public to review and discuss the proposed budget. Formal budget hearings will take place during City Council meetings in September, allowing for additional public input and final adjustments prior to adoption.
Once approved by the City Council, the budget serves as the City’s financial roadmap for the fiscal year. Following adoption, the required budget documents are submitted to the State Auditor by the Sept. 30 deadline. City staff continue to monitor revenues and expenditures throughout the year, ensuring fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to the Wayne community.
