[bouldercouncilhotline] Hotline: Budget questions

[kohls at bouldercolorado.gov]

Sender: Brautigam, Jane

Dear Council,

Recently, Council Member Appelbaum submitted a number of budget questions via HOTLINE.  One of the questions, listed below, pertains to the City Council budget:

-- I'd like to see the Council budget broken out in more detail (actually, there is no detail at all currently).  Although it's a small amount, I think it would be useful to see how council spends its budget.  In addition, I think we need to - once again - consider the very small travel/conference budgets given to each councilmember.   In particular, I think members should be encouraged to use their allowances, not "save" them for those of us (and I am no doubt the biggest spender here) who travel for external meetings (CML/NLC).  So, I think we should explicitly set aside some funds for those external meetings, as well as special travel by the mayor - and just carry that over from year to year if it's not used.  But let's be more explicit about this, and recognize where we are spending money and for what purposes.

With regard to the request for a more detailed breakdown of the Council budget, staff has compiled a spreadsheet (attached) that details the City Council budget and expenditures for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 budgets, respectively.

With regard to the inquiry about carrying over travel funding, carryovers are typically restricted to projects not completed in the specific budget year for which funds are allocated.  If the travel budget is not appropriately funded, the most appropriate  measure is to increase the funding in a subsequent year to reflect trends in actual expenditure or in anticipation of expenses.  As outlined in the attached spread sheet, the amount currently funded appears adequate based on trend.

Staff will be available at the Council meeting tomorrow to address any additional questions regarding this matter.

Regards,

Jane
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