Budget Adoption

Hearings—Before final adoption of the budget, the law requires that the proposed annual operating budget be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county no later than five days after the budget is presented to the county legislative body, if the newspaper is published daily. If such newspaper is published less than daily, then it must be published in the first edition for which the deadline for such publication falls after the budget is presented to the county legislative body. A county may also publish the proposed annual operating budget on the county's web site, which will be accessible to the public on the day the budget is presented to the county legislative body. The budget cannot be adopted until at least 10 days after publication. The annual operating budget must contain a budgetary comparison for the following four governmental funds: general, highway/public works, general purpose school fund, and debt service (T.C.A. § 5-8-507). Sample newspaper notice.

Adoption—Any specific procedures for adopting the budget should be explained in the adopted rules of procedure of the county legislative body.

Requirements for an adopted budget

• Appropriation resolutions (T.C.A. § 9-21-403(b))
• Tax levy resolutions (T.C.A.§ 9-21-403(b))
• Non-profit resolutions (does not affect schools)
• Notice in newspaper (put in newspaper by central finance) (T.C.A. § 5-8-507(c))
• Capital outlay note/bond note resolution (not required during the budget)
• Notify state director of local finance of approved budget (T.C.A. § 9-21-403 (c))

Other forms used in the budget process

• Budget preparation form
• Budget preparation form/personnel
• Letter of agreement
• Summary by fund account
• Operation of fund/fund balance
• Statement of estimated revenues from current property taxes
• Maintenance of effort test, schools
• Highway Certification Form