Yarriambiack Shire Council Budget – 2010/2011

Budget processesThis section lists the budget processes to be undertaken in order to adopt the Budget inaccordance with the Act and Regulations.The preparation of the budget begins with Officers preparing the operating and capital components ofthe annual budget during February and March. A draft consolidated budget is then prepared andvarious iterations are considered by Council at informal briefings during April. A ‘proposed’ budget isprepared in accordance with the Act and submitted to Council in May for approval ’in principle’.Council is then required to give ’public notice’ that it intends to ’adopt’ the budget. It must give 28 daysnotice of its intention to adopt the proposed budget and make the budget available for inspection at itsoffices and on its web site. A person has a right to make a submission on any proposal contained inthe budget and any submission must be considered before adoption of the budget by Council.To assist interested persons to understand the budget and make a submission if they wish, Councilofficers undertake a community engagement process including public information sessions, focusgroups and other techniques. The final step is for Council to adopt the budget after receiving andconsidering any submissions from interested parties. The budget is required to be adopted and acopy submitted to the Minister by 31 August each year. The key dates for the budget process aresummarised below:Budget processTiming1. Officers prepare operating and capital budgets March/April2. Council considers draft budgets at informal briefings May3. Proposed budget submitted to Council for approval June4. Public notice advising intention to adopt budget June5. Budget available for public inspection and comment June7. Submissions period closes (28 days) July8. Submissions considered by Council/Committee July9. Budget and submissions presented to Council for adoption August10. Copy of adopted budget submitted to the Minister AugustYarriambiack Shire Council Budget – 2010/2011 8