8:30 a.m.
Registration
9:00 a.m.
Welcome
9:10-10:10 a.m.
Basic Legal Requirements for Budget and Tax Rate Setting
A discussion of the requirements of Chapters 102 of the Local Government Code, and Chapter 26 of the Tax Code.
Bill Longley, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League
10:10-10:25 a.m.
Break
10:25-11:15 a.m.
Components of a Budget and Budget Implementation
A basic overview of what a city budget actually looks like, including a discussion of the different approaches a city can take to the budgeting process.
Martie Simpson, Executive Director, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas
11:15-11:45 a.m.
A Finance Officer’s Look at the Tax Rate Setting Process
A look at the important calculations and the key players in the tax rate process.
Martie Simpson, Executive Director, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas
11:45 a.m.
Networking Lunch
12:30-1:15 p.m.
Forecasting Municipal Revenue
A discussion of the different types of city revenue, and key indicators to predict how much will be available to the city.
Michael Rodgers, CPA, Director of Finance, City of Belton
1:15-1:45 p.m.
Expenditures and Financial Reporting
A discussion of the preparation of expenditure budgets and reporting the results of operations.
Michael Rodgers, CPA, Director of Finance, City of Belton
1:45-2:15 p.m.
Must-Have Resources for Budget Planning
A virtual tour of the valuable resources you can access to support your city’s budget and tax-rate setting.
Michael Rodgers, CPA, Director of Finance, City of Belton; Martie Simpson, Executive Director, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas; and Bill Longley, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League
2:15-2:45 p.m.
Questions You Were Afraid to Ask About Budgeting and Tax Rate Setting
Audience question-and-answer session with real-life city examples and issues that come up during the budget and tax rate setting process.
Michael Rodgers, CPA, Director of Finance, City of Belton; Martie Simpson, Executive Director, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas; and Bill Longley, General Counsel, Texas Municipal League
2:45 p.m.
Workshop Ends