Budget Transparency Toolkit

Standardized Transparency, Templates, and Tools

This portal provides standardized tools cities can seamlessly integrate into websites to meet statutory transparency requirements while clearly communicating budget information to the public, including required budget reduction exercises, budget posting and retention requirements, employee compensation summaries, and annual budget development calendars. Together, these resources can help cities comply with the law, reduce administrative burden, and present budget information in a clear, consistent, and accessible format for residents.

Budget Reduction Exercise

Cities are required to hold a budget reduction workshop at least 14 days prior to final adoption of the budget. This workshop should carefully evaluate spending priorities and identify strategies to reduce the ensuing fiscal year’s budget by 10%, while safeguarding public safety and essential services. The focus should be on strategic adjustments, such as streamlining processes, delaying nonessential expenditures, and leveraging technology, so cities can continue delivering core services without undermining frontline operations or workforce stability.

Resources

Budget Posting Requirements

Cities are required to make key budget information publicly available online to support transparency and public understanding. This includes posting the results of the required budget reduction exercise (or a recording of the workshop) in an accessible format, along with searchable versions of the tentative and final budgets covering the upcoming fiscal year, the current year, and four previous years. Budget information must be presented in a clear, standardized way that summarizes revenues, expenditures, staffing, major programs, long‑term obligations, and reserves. In addition, proposed budget amendments must be posted online in advance of adoption to provide the public with meaningful notice and opportunity to review changes.

Compensation Template

Cities are required to publish a quarterly summary of employee compensation that includes employee names, job titles, and salaries in an accessible format on the city’s website. To help cities meet this requirement efficiently and consistently, we are providing a ready‑to‑use, plug‑and‑play template that cities can easily customize and post. The template is designed to reduce administrative burden, promote consistency across cities, and present compensation information to the public in a clear and straightforward way.

Resources

Budget Development Calendar Templates

Cities are required to publish an annual budget development calendar by January 30 annually to give residents and stakeholders a clear picture of how and when the local budget is developed. The calendar outlines key milestones in the budget process, including when departments submit funding requests, when property value information is received from the county property appraiser, and when budget workshops, public hearings, and the required budget reduction exercise are expected to occur. This calendar helps promote transparency, predictability, and public awareness throughout the budget cycle.