FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Don Bartz, General Manager
(760) 868-1212

PHELAN, Calif. (January 7, 2021) - Each year, staff is tasked with preparing a budget for consideration at an annual Public Hearing in June.  The process leading up to the hearing includes several public meetings to provide the Board and the public with information for consideration and opportunities for input into the budget process.  These public meetings include workshops, committee, and Board meetings.
Beginning in January, committees review and update their respective Long Range Plans including the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and Maintenance plans.  In February, staff gathers information in preparation for the budget.  February through March, the Board reviews and approves the Long Range Capital Plans and also provides staff with budget assumptions to be used based on the consumer price index and other economic factors.  Considering these guidelines, staff begins the process of preparing a draft budget.
Staff works with department managers and supervisors to obtain budget information and incorporates the data with the assumptions as directed by the Board.  The draft budget is reviewed by management and presented to the Finance Committee for consideration prior to being presented to the full Board.  The Final Draft Budget is made available for review and a public hearing is held in June.  The Final Draft Budget is presented to the Board during the public meeting for final review, consideration, and adoption.  All of these are public meetings and the District encourages public attendance and participation.
The events listed below have been scheduled to promote public participation and ensure the public has the opportunity to become familiar with the budget process.  The Public is invited to ALL of these sessions and is encouraged to attend.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

PUBLIC MEETINGS AND HEARING FOR 2021/2022 BUDGET PROCESS

January & February 

Committees meet, review, and update long range capital, maintenance plans, programs, and District goals.  Committee meeting agendas are posted on the District calendar, in the office, online, and at the community centers.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in this process.

Tuesday - 4:00 p.m.
​February 23, 2021

Special Board Workshop - Review and approval of committee proposed long range capital, maintenance plans, programs, and goals.

Tuesday - 4:00 p.m.
​March 23, 2021

Special Finance Committee - Review Draft Budget

Wednesday - 4:00 p.m.
​March 31, 2021

Special Board Workshop - Review Draft Budget

Tuesday - 4:00 p.m.
​April 20, 2021

Finance Committee - Review Final Draft Budget

Wednesday - 5:00 p.m.
​May 12, 2021

Special Board Workshop - Review Final Draft Budget.  Note: This meeting is tentative.  The meeting of March 31, 2021, will determine whether or not this meeting will be necessary.

Wednesday - 6:00 p.m.
June 2, 2021

Regular Board Meeting
Budget Hearing & possible Budget approval (with any modifications identified as a result of the hearing)