Phase 1: Budget Development 
The City Administrator and Finance Director work with each department to develop departmental budgets to 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 assesses 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 formally present their budgets for the new fiscal year.
Plan to watch this important annual meeting on March 30, 2020.
For information on how to watch Council meetings and directions on how to submit questions and comments, click here.
March 30, 2020
Budget Presentation
In consideration of the mandate from State officials and the CDC for social distancing, the Budget Presentations will be streamed via the digital meeting app Zoom. Councilors will be attending the presentations remotely. The presentations may look different than they have in the past, but we are all still committed to an open and transparent process.
Click here to view the recommended budget book.
Click here to view the Mil Rate Calculator (updated June 10, 2020)
April 6, 2020
Administration
Information Technology Presentation and Strategic Plan
Parks & Recreation
Public Works
Finance & Other Budgeting Units
Capital Budget
New Revenue
Proposed Fee Schedule
April 13, 2020
Communications
Fire
Code Enforcement
Assessing
City Clerk
April 21, 2020
Police
Water Resource Recovery Department
Planning & Economic Development
Human Resources
Dyer Library
Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit
Saco Main Street
May 4, 2020
Memo re: Revised Revenue Projections
Misc. Budget Documents:
Adoption of the Amended Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2021
Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021 Water Resource Recovery Department Budget
City Operations Budget Main Motions
Adoption of the FY2021-FY2024 Capital Program
Proposed Council Resolutions for School Budget
Property Tax Due Dates and Rates
Reconfirm the Authority to Apply Tax Payments to the Oldest Outstanding Tax
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? Public comment is allowed at the start of every Council meeting. A formal public hearing on the entire budget is scheduled for April 27, 2020. Plan to watch! 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 18, 2020, the City Council will hold a workshop for the municipal budget.
On May 26, 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.
At the City Council Meeting on May 26, 2020, the City Council tabled the municipal budget vote to June 1, 2020.
*Please note this date has been changed from May 11, 2020 to May 26, 2020, by the City Council at their meeting on April 27, 2020.
Approved FY2021 Fee Schedule
Approved FY2021 Budget Book