The first work session, scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, on the fifth floor of City Hall, 602 S. Main, Joplin, will include a Budget 101 overview, with Joplin Finance Director Leslie Haase providing details about government accounting. The discussion will include explanations of how the various funds of the city work, including sources and uses of funds. In addition, information on the past 10 years of Joplins finances will be reviewed.
Other budget work sessions are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 29 and Monday, Sept. 12 with final sessions set for September 20 and 21 and possibly September 22, if there are still items needing discussion. Topics for these sessions will include employee pay, a review of the parks and stormwater sales tax program, and a thorough review of the line-item budget. In addition, the council will hear budget requests from representatives of the Joplin Historical Museum, the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, and the city's General Employees group, with dates still to be determined.
The citys budget includes a great deal of information relating to upcoming city projects, capital expenses, operations and maintenance needs, as well as personnel expenses, said Joplin City Manager Sam Anselm. All of these items, along with general revenues, grants and proprietary funds, can be somewhat confusing for someone who is not familiar with the specifics of governmental accounting or city budgets. These work sessions provide the opportunity for council members to review materials, ask questions and discuss the next years projects as they relate to the budget.
The work session on August 29, 2016, will follow a special public hearing on the property tax rate. Following this meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., the council will hold the work session.
The citys fiscal year runs November 1 October 31. The 2016-17 final budget will be on the council agenda on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, for approval.
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