By: Erin Mullenix
In uncertain economic times, city budgets are undoubtedly a challenge. These times of pandemic and economic decline can add inherent volatility and uncertainty to the local budget.
Fortunately, the State of Iowa’s Department of Management has granted extensions to city budget filing deadlines for all cities. City budgets are now due April 30, 2020, unless the city has received individual correspondence with a later date specified. Each city should have been emailed by the Iowa Department of Management with additional details. If no such email was received, contact the Iowa Department of Management. Click here to view the memo from the Iowa Department of Management.
In addition to the change in budget deadline, cities should keep in mind the new budget requirements enacted last year during the 2018-2019 legislative session. Those changes include the addition of a second public hearing process related to new public reporting requirements. Visit the Iowa Department of Management, or Iowa League of Cities websites for more information.
Remember that Iowa State University Extension’s Office of Community and Economic Development has a number of helpful budget resources available to you. Visit the Iowa Government Finance Initiative (IGFI) and Indicators Portal websites for a host of local government resources, including custom Annual Fiscal Conditions reports for each city and county.
