M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Rafael G. Casals, Town Manager
Date: June 22, 2016
Re: Fiscal Year 2016-17 Budget Visioning Workshop
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
In prior years, the Town has typically held its budget workshops in July and August. In an effort to gain better insight into the Town Council's vision for the upcoming fiscal year, Town Staff, in consultation with the Council, decided to hold a "Budget Visioning Workshop" in the month of June. During this First Budget Workshop, plans and ideas for the upcoming budget year will be discussed openly and freely in a "brainstorm" style session.
This First Budget Workshop will not be a review of "budget numbers", but rather a vision including plans and ideas for the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. With the guidance obtained during this First Budget Workshop, Town Staff will develop a detailed financial budget incorporating the plans and ideas agreed upon, and will present such to the Mayor and Town Council during our Second Budget Workshop, currently scheduled for July 18, 2016.
To start the thought process ahead of the June workshop, Town Staff has identified several items for the Council to consider. The items include, but are not limited to:
1. Preliminary Property Value Estimates from the Property Appraiser indicate an approximate 7.3% increase in property values for 2016. This is subject to change and the "certified" taxable value will be issued by the Property Appraiser on or before July 1st. Given that, Town Staff believes that the Town Council would like for us to build the budget holding the millage rate the same as what is currently in effect for this 2015-16 fiscal year (2.3907 mils).
2. Unless directed otherwise by the Town Council, Town Staff currently anticipates no change in Police staffing.
3. During our current Fiscal Year (2015-16), Town Staff has budgeted for certain significant capital projects.
Most of the...
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