Budget Timeline
| Deadline | Process |
|---|---|
| Prior to April 30 | Develop a work plan for the budget process. Schedule board meetings if dates/times are not already set. Gather working papers:
|
| Prior to May Board Meeting | Budget officer (GM) prepares the budget document and the budget message. |
| May Board Meeting or by June 1* | Budget officer (GM) presents the proposed budget and the budget message to the board for its consideration. If the public hearing on the budget has not already been scheduled, do so at this time. (The public hearing may be held immediately before the June board meeting.) |
| Immediately following the meeting | Make a copy of the proposed budget & message available to both the media and the general public. (If you are not sure which media outlets to contact, follow the example of your appointing.)
The notice to the media should announce that
|
| At Least 10 Days Later or by July 1* | Public hearing is held. After the public hearing, the board should meet and review the budget to determine what changes, if any, need to be made. (This meeting may occur directly following the public hearing.) |
| June Board Meeting or by July 1* | Board votes to approve budget and budget message. Include a copy in the minutes of the board meeting. Within 5 days of adoption, send a copy to the appointing authority and the ABC Commission. |
*Denotes dates set by North Carolina General Statues (G.S. 18b‐702)
Interim Budget
If for some reason a budget cannot be adopted by July 1, the board may adopt an interim budget. Salaries, debt service payments and usual and customary board expenses should be included in the interim budget. The annual budget, once adopted, should incorporate all of the items budgeted in the interim budget.
Amendments
Budget amendments must be approved by the board. The board has the option of passing a resolution authorizing the budget officer to make changes within limits to the budget without obtaining prior board approval. Amendments to the adopted budget should be sent to the appointing authority and the ABC Commission.