Takoma Park City Manager Releases Proposed Budget

Monday night the Takoma Park City Council got its first look at the proposed fiscal year 2012 city budget. The budget process can be daunting for residents (as well as local pols and journalists) so we're going to try to break it down for you over the coming months as the council and public debate whether City Manager Barbara Matthews's recommendations are the best for the city.

So here is your first primer on the Takoma Park City budget.

The Proposed Budget By the Numbers

Revenue:

• Combined revenue for all four parts of the city fund (the general fund, the storm water management fund, the special revenue fund and the speed camera fund):  $22, 915, 252
• Revenue from the general fund: $19,417,988
• Revenue from the three other parts of the city fund: $3,497, 264

Expenditures:

• Total expenditures: $24,540, 487
• Expenditures from the general fund: $20,736,157
• Expenditures from the other three funds: $3,804, 330
• 55 percent of the budget is allocated for personnel

What To Know About the Process

The budget process will take about two months, said Takoma Park Deputy City Manager Suzanne Ludlow. Monday night was the first step as the council got it's first look at the proposed budget. So here is a list of some important dates to remember so you can be part of the budget process.

Timeline:

• Starting next week - The council will have budget work sessions for each of the four parts of the city fund (the general fund, the storm water management fund, the special revenue fund and the speed camera fund).
• April 11 and April 25 - Public hearings where residents get to comment on how they'd like to see the proposed budget adjusted.
• After the second public hearing on April 25 - The Council will start deciding how it might want to adjust the budget recommendations.  
• May 16 - First reading of the budget ordinance.
• May 23 - Second reading of the budget ordinance.

The council must act on the budget by May 27 to have it to Montgomery County by the May 31 deadline, Ludlow said.