The Budget Process

The annual budget provides the resources needed to carry out Iredell County's funding principles, taxing policy and the priorities identified through Strategic Planning.  State law requires county budgets to be balanced, meaning revenues and expenditures must equal.  In addition, all revenues collected and expenditures made must be passed by the Board of County Commissioners through the budget ordinance. The proposed budget and budget message must be submitted by June 1st and the budget ordinance adopted by July 1st.

The Budget Calendar

December

Personnel requests, including new and reclassified positions are submitted to Human Resources for review.  Facility improvement needs are submitted to the Facility Services department.

January

The County Manager meets with Department Directors to provide direction regarding budget preparation.  Budget instructions and forms are distributed to Department Directors and departments begin preparing budget requests for the next fiscal year.

February

The Departments submit budget requests for the next fiscal year and projections for the current fiscal year. The Board of Commissioners attend a Budget Planning Retreat to review staff proposals and set forth priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.  Social Services and Health Department budgets are presented to their respective boards for approval.

March

Budget requests are reviewed and analyzed and the Deputy County Manager and Assistant County Manager, along with Finance and Budget staff, meet with reporting departments to discuss and amend submitted requests.  The Iredell-Statesville School and Mooresville Graded School District Boards, as well as Mitchell Community College, budget requests are submitted to the Finance Department. 

The Assistant and Deputy County Managers present the budget requests to the County Manager.

April

Final revenue estimates are submitted to the County Manager by the Finance Director.  The County Manager's Office and Finance Department prepare final recommendations for a balanced budget.

May

The County Manager submits the proposed budget, together with a budget message, to the Board of County Commissioners.  On the same day, the County Manager files a copy with the Clerk to the Board where it remains available for public inspection until the budget ordinance is adopted. The Clerk to the Board makes copies available to all news media and publishes a legal notice regarding the submission to the Board of County Commissioners and calls for a public hearing.

Budget work sessions are held with the Board of County Commissioners.

June

The Board of County Commissioners conducts a public budget hearing.  The date and time is published with local media and are available on the County's website and social media outlets.  The Board formally adopts the final budget including any changes made during the public hearing.  

The final adopted budget may be amended during the year for any unforeseen revenue and expenditure changes.  Any amendments to the budget are submitted to and presented at the bi-weekly Board of County Commissioners meetings.