The Euless Budget

Since the City of Euless operates as a business, some of the most important aspects of operating a business are employed in assuring that this city operates efficiently and with continuity.

One of the most basic of tasks is the formulation of a BUDGET for each year.  The City of Euless operates on a fiscal year which begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the following year.

The City’s finances are accounted for within a variety of funds which are used to account for a myriad of different functions or organizational units within the City.  From these many funds a consolidated budget is compiled so that the City Council can consider both the detail as well as the overall impact that various levels of revenue and expenditures will produce.  We plan for operations as well as capital expenditures.  Some of the most important decisions coming from the budgetary process include setting a property tax rate, estimating sales tax revenues, considering water and sewer rates and a host of other issues relative to revenues.  The need for revenues is evident when we project paying for the services provided to our citizens.  This is big business.

Citizen input is one of the most important aspects of the total budgetary process.  Our City Council wants to hear from you.  What are your desires for services and what is your willingness to pay for those services in terms of taxes and fees.  The City Council is generally in accord in being conservative by not imposing excessive fees for services.   Our meetings are always open to the public and your input is most valuable to us. 

Though the City Staff works diligently to produce an effective budget starting in early spring each year the City Council starts its consideration in late May or early June.  With City Council input, a final budget is prepared for Public Hearings at City Council Meetings in August of each year.  The process for transparency is dictated by rules and timing established by the Texas Legislature.   With final citizen input the City Council approves the annual budget in August to become effective on October 1.

Though not formally approved, the City’s Finance Department also prepares a five year projection of what will likely happen relative to revenues and expenditures.  This is a tool used to insure that no surprises are lurking in terms of our ability to continue to provide needed services and to insure continuation of payments on bonded indebtedness.

The Euless budgetary process provides an exemplary look to our immediate financial future which has year after year received awards for its excellence.  The most important award which has consistently been received is from The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.  This award is presented to those individuals who have been instrumental in their government unit achieving a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  This award names our Director of Finance, Vicki Rodriquez, as recipient.

The budgetary process:  Just another reason for citizens to take pride in the management of FabEuless.