Budget Development and Management

Budget Development and Management Resources
FY 2020-21 Budget Goals and Policies»

What is the process?

Financial Forecast

The Administrative Office presents a financial forecast to the public at a Board of Supervisors meeting in October.

Set Priorities, Strategic Plan

The Board of Supervisors meets in November to adopt the next fiscal year budget goals and policies, establish budget priorities, and adopt the County's fee schedule for the coming calendar year. The Administrative Office also provides the current fiscal year's first quarter financial report to the public and the Board.

Set Goals, Performance Measures

In December, departments develop goals and identify metrics to measure performance for the next fiscal year. 

Department Budgets Submitted to Administrative Office

In January, departments submit next fiscal year's budget requests to the Administrative Office. 

Budget Update to Board and Public

The Administrative Office presents a budget update to the Board based on requests submitted by departments. The Administrative Office also provides the current fiscal year's second quarter financial report to the public and the Board. 

Review, Analyze Budget Requests

In February and March, the Administrative Office reviews and analyzes budgets submitted by departments for the next fiscal year and begins developing recommendations for the Board. 

Finalize Recommendations

In April, the Administrative Office finalizes budget recommendations for the next fiscal year and prepares the recommended budget for the public and the Board of Supervisors to review.

Publish Recommended Budget

In May, the Administrative Office publishes the recommended budget for the next fiscal year and introduces it to the public and the Board of Supervisors. Any changes are then noted and prepared in a supplemental document to the budget. The Administrative Office also provides the current fiscal year's third quarter financial report to the public and the Board.

Budget Hearing

Every June, the Board of Supervisors hold public budget hearings to review, revise and/or adopt the recommended budget for the next fiscal year. The current fiscal year ends on June 30. 

New Fiscal Year Begins

The new fiscal year begins on July 1. 

Capital Improvement Projects, Fund Balance Available

In August, departments submit Capital Improvement Project requests to the Administrative Office. The County also identifies the fund balance available from the previous fiscal year. 

Budget Finalized

In September, the final budget for the current fiscal year is adopted to include the fund balance available identified in August. The Administrative Office also provides the previous fiscal year's fourth quarter financial report to the public and the Board.

Who can use this service?

Anyone can participate, and is encouraged to participate, in the budget process. Public participation is available through the many public budget-related meetings that are held by the Board of Supervisors throughout the year. All Board meetings are recorded and broadcast via cable television and the County’s website. 

We measure community needs through community input provided through participation in open meetings, public involvement on the County’s many advisory boards and commissions, and through studies and community-wide reports.

Is there a charge for this service?

Printed copies of the budget book can be purchased for $43, but anyone can access the County budget document for free online or at all branches of the County Library. 

Visit the Administrative Office in the County Government Center in downtown San Luis Obispo to purchase a printed copy of the budget book. 

When and where is this service offered?

Throughout the year, the budget is developed and reviewed starting with a financial forecast in October and ending with the final budget adoption in September of the following year. The Board of Supervisors also holds a strategic planning meetings in the Board Chambers at the County Government Center in downtown San Luis Obispo to discuss and adopt goals and policies, establish priorities, and adopt the County's fee schedule. This is an opportunity for members of the public to weigh in on the Board's priorities and have a say in the process. 

Then, in June, the Board holds public budget hearings in the Board Chambers at the County Government Center in downtown San Luis Obispo to review, revise and/or adopt the proposed budget for the next fiscal year. This again is an opportunity for members of the public to weigh in on the County's budget. 

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the thumbnail to download a copy of the County's final budget document. 

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