§ 6-302. Adoption of budget.

(a)

At the first Council meeting in March of each year, beginning in 2007, each council member may submit his/her budget priorities for the coming year. Such priorities shall be referred to the Finance/Executive Committee, which shall submit these priorities in the form of a resolution to be adopted by the council no later than the second council meeting in March. The Mayor, in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer, may take these priorities into consideration in the preparation of the tentative budget.

(b)

The mayor shall prepare and submit the proposed annual budget ordinance to the governing body no later than the first regular meeting of the governing body in May, preceding the commencement of the fiscal year.

(c)

The governing body shall hold one or more public hearings on the proposed budget as required by the laws of Georgia, notice of which shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the city at least seven days prior to the date set therefore.

(d)

The governing body may amend the proposed annual budget, except that the budget as finally amended must provide for all expenditures required by law or by this Charter, including but not limited to debt service, sinking fund, interest on bonded indebtedness and a general fund budget reserve equal to the amount, if any, specified under Section 6, Fund Balance Policy. The General Fund budget reserve as identified in this subsection cannot be expended without prior approval of the governing body.

(e)

The governing body shall by ordinance adopt the annual budget for the ensuing fiscal year not later than June, preceding the commencement of the fiscal year.

(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469; Ord. No. 1998-58, § 1, 9-17-98; Ord. No. 2002-17, § 2, 3-12-02; Ord. No. 2005-09, § 1, 2-16-05; Ord. No. 2005-84, § 1, 11-22-05; Ord. No. 2008-21(08-O-0351), § 1, 3-25-08; Ord. No. 2008-34(08-O-0826), § 1, 5-27-08; Ord. No. 2008-38(08-O-1018), § 1, 6-10-08; Ord. No. 2009-06(09-O-0200), § 1, 2-11-09; Ord. No. 2012-26(12-O-0501), § 2, 6-13-12)