Phase 1: Budget Development 
The City Administrator and Finance Director work with each department to develop departmental budgets maintain existing efforts. In other words, how much will it cost next year to keep doing what Council approved for the City to do this year? This is called the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) budget. Based on Council goals, City growth, Citizen requests, or new regulations from the State or Federal Government, departments might need to expand their budget to accommodate service enhancements. Any service enhancements are submitted to the City Administrator for consideration. These are called Service Enhancement Requests (SERs). The City Administrator assess many different factors in order to prioritize these requests and to determine which ones will be approved as part of his final budget.
Phase 2: 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 23, 2020.
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.
Phase 3: Budget Deliberation & Public Participation
During April, department heads 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.
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 27, 2020. 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 4: Budget Approval
On May 11, 2020, 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.