It was early December when top city officials presented a proposed budget to the Little Rock Board of Directors for approval last year -- prompting intense and repeated criticism from board members that its arrival left little time for changes.
As a result of that feedback, City Manager Bruce Moore and Mayor Mark Stodola -- who share dual responsibility for preparing and presenting a balanced budget to the board -- have planned for a two-day retreat in September this year to go over budget matters with city directors.
But Moore cautioned at a recent board meeting that directors should not expect a finalized budget at the Sept. 11-12 retreat.
"If we do this the second week of September, we still have July [tax revenue] numbers from a budget standpoint and sales tax standpoint. It really [will be] an overview of each department from a budget perspective, but not so much focused on 2016, rather here's what each department looks like, here's how many people, here's what they do," Moore said.
"I don't want you to have expectations that you will have a balanced budget at that workshop in September."
Last year, Moore and Stodola presented the complete proposed budget to the board for the first time on Dec. 2. The city scheduled three public meetings to get residents' input before the budget had to be finalized and adopted by the board by Dec. 31.
In 2013, the board was presented the budget for the first time Nov. 27.
"It seemed like there was this phantom group having input and helping develop the budget, and then it's just given to me to rubber stamp," Ward 6 City Director Doris Wright said. "I think that's an insult to me as an elected official."
An early budget retreat this year will enable her to propose ideas for possible inclusion in the budget, she said.
"My constituents expect me to be able to put forth ideas and plans and things they would like to see to take place in their neighborhood. If we get the budget and it's already developed, there's no opportunity for me to say, 'OK, in your neighborhood budget can we do this in Twin Lakes?' or 'Do this over in Union Park,'" Wright said.
This year's retreat is planned to start on a Friday, Sept. 11, with a morning and afternoon session. Lunch will be provided. There will be a morning session the next day, Sept. 12.
A location hasn't been determined. Moore told city directors in a memorandum earlier this month that he would send a more detailed outline closer to the date of the event.
City directors have sometimes had questions about suggested spending in the budget and expressed desire to change some planned expenses, but said they felt they didn't have enough time to do so.
Last year, there were questions about the increased amounts allocated for outside agencies -- the Arkansas Arts Center, Central Arkansas Transit Authority, First Tee golf program for youths and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership -- as well as a funding increase for the city's land banks.
For the first time since 2008, the original proposed budget for 2015 didn't include raises for employees. The board instructed Moore to come up with a plan for either raises or bonuses, and he only had a short time to do so and get approval for it. Employees received one-time bonuses in January based on their income, and another review will take place in July to determine whether they will receive another one-time bonus to make up for the lack of raises this year.
Stodola said at a board meeting recently that it's important to realize changes in the budget have to be accounted for financially.
"I've always made the point and it will continue to be made, that if you want to add to some line item, you're going to have to take away from some line item. Certainly, the budget is a moving document and flexible document," Stodola said. "The point [of the retreat] is to be prepared or make some suggestions or recommendations as it relates to that."
Metro on 05/26/2015