Budget Planning and Adoption

Code Number: 801

Budget Planning Calendar

Following submission of the certified enrollment count in October of each year, the District shall begin the process of preparing information for the budget for the next fiscal year. As soon thereafter as is practical, the Board shall adopt general guiding principles for the upcoming budget, and the Superintendent, or his or her designee, shall provide initial spending authority projections and a proposed budget presentation calendar for upcoming budget information and recommendations.

Presentation of Recommendations and Budget Information

Budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year shall be prepared by the Superintendent, or his or her designee, for the Board’s review. The recommendations shall be based on the Board’s adopted annual budget priorities, existing Board policy, and the District’s long-range goals.

In presenting the recommended budget to the Board, the Superintendent, or his or her designee, shall include a summary of budgeted and actual revenues and expenditures for the two prior fiscal years, reestimated current year, and a five-year spending authority projection based on the best available information at the time. The presentation shall also include estimated revenues by source for each fund within the overall budget and estimated expenditures at the fund, facility, function, and program level of detail within the general fund and shall include a detailed analysis of historical tax levies and proposed tax levies for the fiscal year.

Budget Adoption and Certification

The Board shall adopt a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, including but not limited to the proposed tax levies, not later than April 15 of each year, unless a different date is set or authorized by law. Prior to adopting the budget, the Board shall further provide for and complete all public disclosures and notices related to the budget as may be required by law. The Board shall publish notice of the proposed budget and the time and place of the hearing thereon at least ten (10) days, but not more than twenty (20) days, prior to the public hearing. The budget hearing shall be conducted in the manner determined by the Board and shall include the opportunity for any person who would be subject to the tax levies set forth in the proposed budget to be heard in favor of or against the same.

The budget shall be adopted and certified at the function level of detail.

Following adoption, the budget shall be certified to the county auditor not later than April 15 of each year, unless a different date is set or authorized by law. The Board Secretary shall file the adopted and certified budget with the county auditor and any other authorities as may be required by law.

Amendment

When necessary, the Board may amend an adopted budget. An amendment to the budget may only be adopted following the same general procedures for adoption of the budget as are outlined above. Any budget amendment must be submitted to the county auditor no later than May 31.

Citizen Guide to the Budget

Following the adoption of the budget, the Superintendent, or his or her designee, shall produce a Citizen Guide to the Budget for the upcoming fiscal year and make the same available to the general public within 30 days following certification of the budget.


First Adoption:
2000-10-10
Revision Adoption:
January 25, 2010/ February 9, 2015/ May 11, 2020
Reviewed Dates:
March 24, 2020/ April 21, 2020
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code Chapters 24; 257; 298

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