City welcomes resident participation in
budget planning process

Sedona AZ (November 27, 2019) – The city encourages residents to apply for the Budget Work Group to serve as a citizen sounding board throughout the upcoming annual budget process.

The group of up to nine volunteers will meet on the following topics:

• First, on Jan. 21, 2020, city staff will give a high level explanation of the budget, followed by facilitation of a meaningful discussion where city staff asks what’s missing and what needs to be reduced in the budget, what changes to programs and services need to be made and what community issues with budget implications need to be addressed that aren’t yet included in this budget cycle.
• Second, on Feb. 24, the work group will review and make recommendations on the Service Contracts the city has with organizations like Sedona Recycles and Sedona Public Library.
• Third, on March 4, the work group will make recommendations on the additional major budget requests staff prepares for the coming year’s budget.   

This work will culminate with the Budget Work Group’s recommendations summarized for the city manager and Sedona City Council so they can make more informed decisions when refining and considering approval of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget.

Additionally, city staff members plan to launch an online survey for all residents that will ask about different community-wide issues that have significant budget implications; the work group will help finalize the topics included in this survey.

Those interested in this commitment should apply before Dec. 14 by filling out the volunteer questionnaire found here: http://www.sedonaaz.gov/your-government/departments/city-manager/citizen-engagement/volunteer-questionnaire. Please make sure to check the box that indicates interest in budget oversight and include any relevant finance experience.

For more information contact Citizen Engagement Coordinator Lauren Browne at lbrowne@sedonaaz.gov.