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 Lawrence
 Code of Ordinances
 THE CHARTER

  § 7. Financial procedures.  

Latest version.

  • 7.1 Submission of Budget, Budget Message.

    Within the period prescribed by state law, the mayor shall submit to the city council a proposed budget for the ensuing fiscal year which shall provide a complete financial plan of all city funds and activities for the ensuing fiscal year, an accompanying budget message, and supporting documents.

    The budget message of the mayor shall explain the proposed budget for all city agencies both in fiscal terms and in terms of work programs. It shall outline the proposed financial policies for the city for the ensuing fiscal year, describe the important features of the budget, indicate any major differences from the current fiscal year in financial policies, expenditures and revenues, together with the reasons for such changes, summarize the city's debt position, and include such other material as the mayor deems desirable or the city council may reasonably require.

    7.2 Action on the Budget.

    (a)

    Public Hearing. The city council shall, within seven days following the date the proposed budget has been filed with the clerk of the council, cause to be published in a local newspaper the general summary of the proposed budget as submitted by the mayor and a notice stating (1) the date, not less than seven nor more than fourteen days following such publication, and the place at which the city council, or a standing committee of the city council, will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget and (2) the times and places where complete copies of the proposed budget will be available for examination by the public in advance of said hearing.

    (b)

    Adoption. Within the period prescribed by state law the city council shall adopt the budget, with or without amending the proposed budget, the city council may delete or decrease items or amounts except expenditures required by law or for debt service. If within the period prescribed by state law the city council shall fail to take action with respect to any item in the proposed budget, as submitted by the mayor, such amounts shall, without any action by the city council become a part of the appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year and shall be available for the purposes specified.

    7.3 Independent Audit.

    At least once in every year an outside audit of the books and accounts shall be made. The city council shall provide for such an audit by an accountant or a firm of accountants, who have no personal interests, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the city government or of any of its officers or employees.

    7.4 Capital Improvements Program Budget.

    (a)

    Submission to City Council. The mayor shall prepare and submit to the city council a five year capital improvements program, annually at least sixty days before the date he is required to submit an annual budget.

    (b)

    Contents. The capital improvements program shall include: (1) a clear, concise summary of its contents; (2) a list of all proposed capital improvements which are intended to be undertaken over the next five fiscal years, with supporting data as to the need for each such improvement; (3) cost estimates, method of financing and time schedules; (4) the estimated annual cost of maintaining and operating, if any, each item proposed; (5) a listing of all sources and amounts of revenue, if any, which will be generated by each item proposed. The information shall be revised and extended annually.

    (c)

    Public Hearing. The city council shall, within seven days following the date the capital improvements program is filed with the clerk of the council, cause the general summary of the capital improvements program as submitted by the mayor to be published in a local newspaper and a notice stating (1) the date, not less than seven nor more than fourteen days following such publication, and (2) the place where a public hearing will be held on the proposed capital improvements program by the city council or a standing committee thereof.

    (d)

    Adoption. After the public hearing, and on or before the last day within which the mayor may submit a proposed operating budget, the city council, by resolution, shall adopt the capital improvement program, with or without amendment, provided that each amendment must be voted upon separately and that any increase in the capital improvement program as submitted must clearly identify the manner in which any proposed addition is to be financed.

(Ord. dated 1/1/03 § 14; Ord. dated 11/27/01 § 14)