Working with the Finance Director and City Council, to design and implement a better budget process.

Transition to Biennial Budget Process 

The City of Soldotna had an annual operating budget process.  When I became City Manager in 2018, I looked for ways to improve the efficiency of the process.  Over the course of a year, worked closely with the Finance Director to transition the City to a Biennial (2-year) Operating Budget process.

We did this through research, seeking out and learning from other Municipalities about their experience and process, and ensuring the City of Soldotna took sufficient time to successfully make the transition.  By the end of the project, we successfully achieved:

• Updated code sections referencing new budget process and policies

• Biennial budget document designed, and mid-biennium process (the in-between years) process established;

• FY22/23 and FY24/25 budgets adopted, and implemented

• Significant staff time saved in alternate years, within the Finance Department and at the Department Head level city-wide.