Provo City Council wants more say in budgeting process

PROVO — Ten proposed resolutions that would give the Provo City Council more power in appropriating tax dollars are scheduled for a public hearing Tuesday.

The proposals dictate the timing and method of budget preparation, and they include guidelines for the City Council and Mayor Lewis K. Billings to work together and with city departments.

"It has been suggested by some that perhaps the council is overstepping its bounds with this new process," said Sherrie Hall Everett, the council's vice chairwoman. "The truth is that rather than stepping over its bounds, the council is stepping up its capability to provide more diligent scrutiny and oversight in fulfilling its duty to carefully and responsibly appropriate (Provo residents') scarce tax dollars in this difficult economic climate."

Provo spokeswoman Helen Anderson said the administration received the proposed resolutions Thursday night. A news release about the resolutions issued by the council Friday was not shared with the mayor's office, Anderson said.

In the 10 resolutions, the council states its preference for no layoffs during 2008-09 budget adjustments, and it calls for those budget cuts to be targeted rather than across-the-board. The council also requests that all funds be looked at — including capital improvements, enterprise and general-fund reserves — for potential cuts in adjusting the coming fiscal-year budget.

The council also favors modifying how the budget is formatted to more clearly communicate goals, stating its intent regarding the 2009-10 budget and future budgets.

Additionally, it seeks to gain "more detailed mayoral reports" on the budget, develop a joint statement with the mayor regarding the city's agenda with the state and federal governing bodies, and use already task-force committees already in place to develop policy so that future budget decisions are more clearly defined.

Terry Ann Harward, the council's executive director, said the budgeting process should be more transparent and easier to understand.

"This is responsible government, to oversee the necessary appropriations in maintaining a balanced budget," said Cynthia Dayton, the council's chairwoman.

The hearing is set for 3:30 p.m. in the council's conference room on the second floor of City Hall, 351 W. Center.

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