Budget Process

Each year the Mayor, the City Council, and City staff work together to develop an Annual Budget. While the Budget is being created, all parties must make decisions on how to utilize the limited revenues that the City receives in order to produce the greatest benefits for the citizens.

The fiscal year for the City of De Soto begins January 1 and ends December 31, and the budgeting process for the upcoming year starts in the Spring of the current year (i.e. The 2026 budget process begins in Spring 2025).

MONTH
ACTION ITEMS
MarchCity Administrator updates 5-year projections
AprilDepartment Heads submit department budgets, capital items, and requests for additional personnel or expanded levels of service
May- City Council Meeting: Capital Improvement Plan priorities, preliminary revenue projections, policy directives, mill rate discussion 
- Draft Budget completed by City Administrator & City Finance Director 
- City Council Meeting: Council receives first draft of Proposed Budget
JuneCity Council Meeting - Budget Discussion
June 15
By this date, county clerks must provide the estimated assessed valuations and revenue neutral rate to taxing districts
July
City Council Meeting - Council discusses and authorizes staff to submit proposed Mill Level & set RNR public hearing date
July 20Last day for City to notify County Clerk of intent to exceed revenue neutral rate
August 10
Taxpayers receive Estimated Tax Notice
September 9Last day to publish notice of the revenue neutral rate hearing and budget hearing
September 20Last day to hold revenue neutral rate hearing and budget hearing
OctoberFinalize Budget Book