Rochester Hills begins 2019 budget process

Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, August 13, accepted the city's 2019-2021 comprehensive budget from city Mayor Bryan Barnett.

The acceptance of the budget, which has yet to be finalized as a proposed document, is the fist step in the annual budget process.

The initial three-year budget plan lays out a basic proposal for spending for the next three years and as well as projected revenues. The acceptance of the budget marks the beginning of a 60-day process in which council determines specific department budgets, capital improvements in road and infrastructure and other spending for the next year.

Under the proposed budget plan, the first budget workshop is scheduled for Monday, August 20. City council and staff will go through individual city department budgets, total revenues and expenditures. The budget also will include proposed budgets from the Older Persons Commission (OPC) and the Rochester Area Recreation Authority (RARA).

Following the first and subsequent budget workshops, the city will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Monday, September 10 at its regular city council meeting. The proposed budget must be published and made available to the public at least seven days prior to September 10.

Council unanimously accepted the budget and scheduled the first budget workshop and public hearing.