After the Council adopts the budget, the Auditor as the County's budget officer, prepares the official budget documents. To accomplish this requires significant and joint effort between the Auditor, County organization fiscal administrators and staff, the Mayor's Office, and Council staff.

The County Budget is approved by the County Council in December of the preceding year and includes all of the Council's appropriation and related policy decisions. After the budget is adopted, the Auditor prepares and publishes the Adopted Budget. This document includes budgeted expenditures, fund balance transfers, contributions, capital improvements, and budgeted revenues.

Prior to adoption of the budget, the Auditor prepares a budget message that provides an overview of the budget. The Auditor will also comment on trends and other matters pertaining to the overall fiscal health of the County.

Beginning with the 2011 fiscal year, the Auditor began published a "Budget-In-Brief" which provides a concise look at the County's adopted budget. This document replaces the much larger Budget Plan that was published in prior years.

Approximately 5 months into the County's fiscal year, the Mayor and Council consider requests for changes to the budget. Council approved changes are included in the "Adjusted Budget" which is also prepared and published by the Auditor's Office. During this mid-year budget opening, the Council also adopts property tax rates which can be found in the Fund Summary section of this document.

Below are the official budget documents for the current year as well as the preceding five years.