The city operates on a yearly budget cycle, each cycle ends December 31st of each year. It takes some strategic planning to make sure we meet yearly needs. How much should the city spend on road salt? What kind of park maintenance do we need? How long will our police cars and fire trucks last?

The budgetary level of control is at the department level and the City’s department heads may make transfers of appropriations within their department. The budget process is a year-round activity because regular reporting is necessary to provide accountability, understanding, and confidence in the City. The City provides different types of reporting to facilitate this process. These reports include: quarterly department reports, quarterly capital project reports, quarterly cash balances reports, budget document, and an audited comprehensive annual financial statement.

The city’s budget is a financial plan for city services that include:

• Public Safety (Police & Fire)
• Street Maintenance like street sweeping, snow plowing and engineering
• Park Planning & Maintenance
• Park Facilities
• Community Development Activities, which bring in new businesses and industries
• Building Inspection & Code Enforcement
• Legislative & Administrative Operations like elections, human resources and communications

 

The budget consists of the following areas:

1. General Fund - A budget is prepared for each major department (For example, Administration, Public Safety and Public Works are departments within the general fund)
2. Capital Projects
3. Debt Service
4. Proprietary Funds

During budget season (May/June-December), there are lots of decisions that need to be made way before you ever get a bill. Approving the City's Annual Budget is one of the most important decisions made by the City Council each year. The budget is based on staff recommendations and input received from the community (that's you!).

One key budget moment is the City Council’s approval of the preliminary property tax levy. Wyoming council members set the levy in September. You will receive a notice from Chisago County notifying you of the preliminary levy in November.

But that preliminary levy is simply that – preliminary. Wyoming’s council members and city staff fine tune the budget and levy to hold tax increases to a minimum in order to provide cost-efficient services. The Council votes on the final levy amount in December, which then determines your taxes for the next year.

Do you feel like you don’t have a say about the taxes you pay? That’s not true. There are several ways you can get involved in the budget process to speak your mind.

 

1. Attend Public Meetings

There are meetings where Wyoming’s elected officials hold public hearings to give residents and business owners the opportunity to voice their concerns on budget priorities.

View the City Calendar

 

2. Watch Public Meetings

Watch Wyoming City Council meetings live at 7:00 pm on Tuesday nights on our YouTube channel or you may watch them online anytime.

Watch a Council Meeting

 

3. Read City Correspondence

Be sure to ready city correspondence such as our quarterly newsletter, this website, social media pages or other official mailers from the City of Wyoming.

 

4. Contact Your Elected Officials

Contact the Mayor or your city council members with comments or concerns, as they ultimately make the final decision on budget issues.

Contact the Council