2001 budget process and schedule

Creating a municipal budget is the result of months of work by City Department staff, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer's office, Standing Committees, the Budget Advisory Committee and the Policy and Finance Committee, completing the process with Council approval. Throughout the year, each City department's Commissioner and staff, together with the Chief Administrator's Office and Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, review their operations in an effort to continue providing quality services while seeking financial savings.

For 2001 and beyond, the CAO and CFO/Treasurer will be reviewing existing financial protocols, identifying current and future budget impacts, and implementing a methodology that will assist Council to rank service priorities. All operating budget program submissions will be prepared on the basis of resources available.

Council approved a modified budget process for 2001 because of the November municipal election. Standing Committees were struck in December 2000 and have begun their review this month for a line by line review. Both the capital and operating budgets will proceed through the committees together to ensure that all the financial implications are identified. Both budgets will reach City Council on schedule in late April 2001.

Budget Schedule for 2001

1.	Chief Administrator's Office and Chief Financial Officer Budget Overview	Jan. 31
	Overview Presentation; Distribution of Program Briefing Notes
2.	Standing Committee Reviews	Feb. 5 - 28
	Staff presentations on key items at 1st meeting
	Both Operating and five-year Capital presented
	Review staff proposals; assess priorities; recommendations to BAC
3.	Budget Advisory Committee
	Review ABCs	Feb. 9, 28,
	Integrate and prioritize Standing Committee recommendations	Mar. 1, Apr. 2
	Tentative additional meetings, as required.	Feb. 23, 27, Mar 19-23, 30
4.	Policy and Finance Committee Review	Apr. 17
5.	Council's Approval	Apr. 24 - 27