Budget Process

What Happens During the Budget Process

February-March

In early February, City departments begin to prepare their operating budget requests and requests for enhancements, which are requests for items or services over $10,000, such as public safety vehicles. During this time, City staff adjust their routine operating budgets, acquire pricing for enhancements, and update their annual goals. In mid-March, all documents and requests are turned in to the Finance Department for review.

April

In April of each year, the City holds a Town Hall meeting for the public. Staff presents their current projects and major projects planned for the upcoming fiscal year. During the Town Hall, residents are encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback on things that they would like the City to include in the budget.

In late April, the Finance Department and the City Manager's Office meet with all departments to discuss budget requests and clarify projections. After these meetings, the budget  begins to take shape.

May

The directors of all City departments meet in May to review the proposals, prioritize requests and incorporate the goals established by City Council. The Finance Department then develops a rough draft of the budget. 

June

In June, the City Council begins discussing the different pieces of the budget with the annual meeting and public hearing on the Crime Control and Prevention District fund budget. This year's Crime Control and Prevention District Public Hearing will be held on June 13. 

July

The City Manager's Office and the Finance Department present draft budget information to City Council over the summer months. During this time, budget workshops and public hearings are held and open to the public. Residents are encouraged to attend or live stream the workshops and provide feedback! Have a question or comment? Email us!

During the first workshop, this year on July 13, City Council will hear presentations from local service organizations requesting City funding. Any funding assistance to local non-profit organizations approved by the City Council goes toward programs that serve on Coppell residents. City Council will also discuss Special Revenue Funds. 

City Council will review the Debt Service and General Fund budget in the second budget workshop, scheduled for July 18. The General Fund comprises approximately half of the City's total operating budget, and it includes the bulk of the City's normal operating cost.

Due to legislation implemented by the State, the City will publishes an abridged draft proposed budget on July 21. The draft proposed budget fulfills only the legal requirements and is significantly more condensed than the long format version that is made available for review in August.

During the third budget workshop, this year on July 24, staff will present the draft budget for the Water and Sewer Fund.

On July 25 of each year, the City receives the certified property values from the appraisal districts, which are used to calculate the property tax bills. Staff adjusts the draft budget to reflect the certified values as soon as they are available. Then the Coppell City Council meets in late July for a budget workshop to conduct a final review of the proposed budget. During this final budget workshop on July 27, staff will present the Debt Service and General Fund budget based on the certified values. Council will also discuss the proposed tax rate.

August

Per City Charter, the proposed budget must be filed with the City Secretary by August 5 of each year, and the document becomes available for public review. 

Public hearings are typically held during a regularly scheduled Council meeting in August to discuss the proposed budget and tax rate. This year, the proposed budget and proposed tax rate will be presented to City Council at the regularly scheduled August 22, 2023 Council meeting. Council will hold public hearings concerning the proposed budget and tax rate, and they will vote to approve the proposed budget and tax rate at this meeting.