Phase 1: Council Directive
The City Council is asked what they would like to see for the budget in the new fiscal year. To facilitate this discussion, the City Administrator and Finance Director work together to create different scenarios for the Council to consider. At this meeting, the Council also gets a preview of the school budget and is invited to ask questions or provide feedback.
View the PowerPoint Presentation from February 4, 2019.
Watch the Presentation to Council (starts@ 16:00).
Watch the Council Deliberation on the Directive (starts @ 42:00).
Phase 2: Budget Development 
Following the Council Directive, the City Administrator and Finance Director work with each department to develop departmental budgets that fits within the directive. Requests that do not fit in the directive are submitted to the City Administrator for consideration. These are called Requests Above Directive (RADs). The City Administrator uses their judgment to determine which RADs will be approved as part of the recommended budget.
Phase 3: Budget Presentation
At the second Council Meeting in March, Saco’s City Administrator, Finance Director, School Superintendent, and School Finance Director, will come together to formally present their budgets for the new fiscal year.
Plan to attend this important annual meeting on March 25th, 2019.
Watch live online and get the opportunity to comment in real time on the City of Saco Government's Facebook page. If we cannot answer your questions immediately, we will answer your question as soon as we can. You can also watch live via TATV on Channel 1301 or TownHall Streams.
Recommended Budget Materials
Click here to view the Fee Schedule for FY2020
Click here to view the recommended budget book.
Click here to view April 1, 2019 updates to the recommended budget book.
Click here to view April 8, 2019 updates to the recommended budget book.
Click here to view April 16, 2019 updates to the recommended budget book.
You can view the municipal PowerPoint presentation as a PDF here.
You can view the school PowerPoint presentation as a PDF here.
Mil Rate Calculator
You can view the Mil Rate calculator here (Excel).
Phase 4: Budget Deliberation & Public Participation
During April, department directors present their budgets to the City Council. For some departments, it is the only chance all year to update the public on major accomplishments and challenges.
DEPARTMENT BUDGET PRESENTATIONs
April 1, 2019
View the Public Works Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Public Works Supporting Documents - Facilities here (PDF).
View the Capital Program presentation here (PDF).
April 8, 2019
View the Water Resource Recovery Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Energy & Sustainability Committee presentation here (PDF).
View the Information Technology presentation here (PDF).
View the Code Enforcement presentation here (PDF).
View the Parks & Recreation presentation here (PDF).
APRIL 16, 2019
View the Police Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Planning and Development presentation here (PDF).
View the Assessment presentation here (PDF).
View the City Clerk presentation here (PDF).
APRIL 22, 2019
View the Fire Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Human Resources presentation here (PDF).
View the Finance Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Administration Department presentation here (PDF).
View the Saco Main Street presentation here (PDF).
View the Dyer Library presentation here (PDF).
View the Shuttle-Bus Zoom presentation here (PDF).
Public COMMENT & Participation
Ready to make your voice heard in person? Public comment is allowed at the start of every budget workshop. A formal public hearing on the entire budget is scheduled for April 29th, 2019. Plan to Attend! If you have a question about the budget process or a department presentation, please email budget@sacomaine.org. We will post the questions and answers on the Q&A page.
Phase 5: Budget Approval
On May 13th, 2019, the City Council will vote to formally approve the new fiscal year budget. The final approval includes approval of the School Budget, Capital Program, and Departmental Budgets.
Worried about a City of Saco government shut down? Have no fear! The City’s charter dictates that if no budget is approved, the prior years’ budget rolls forward as the active budget until a new budget can be approved.