A. The dates of the borough fiscal year and the manner for preparation and submission of the budget and capital improvements program by the manager shall be as prescribed in the borough charter (see Section 9.01).

B. No later than April 1st of the current fiscal year, the manager shall submit to the assembly the proposed budget for the following fiscal year, along with a budget message which will explain the proposed budget, and shall contain an outline of the proposed financial policies of the borough for the budget year, and shall describe in connection therewith the most important features of the budget plan. It shall set forth the reasons for salient changes from the previous year in appropriation and revenue items and it shall explain any major changes in policy. It will also identify the six-year capital improvements program (CIP) list, focusing on the work to be done and the financial policies that will direct the funding of that work.

C. Prior to the manager’s submission of the proposed budget to the assembly, the manager shall submit the proposed annual budget and six-year capital improvements program (CIP) list to the mayor for review and recommendations for amendment.

D. The borough school board shall submit the school budget for the following school year to the borough assembly by May 1st for approval of the total amount. The assembly shall determine the total amount of money to be made available from local sources for school purposes and shall no later than June 15th furnish the school board with a statement of the sum to be made available.

E. Prior to adoption of the budget, the planning commission shall review the proposed capital improvements program and submit its recommendations thereon to the borough assembly. The manager shall submit the capital improvements program to the planning commission in a reasonable period in advance of the fiscal year. (See HBC 18.30.040(H).)

F. The assembly shall hold at least two public hearings on the proposed budget and capital improvements program no later than June 1st. At least 10 days prior to each hearing, the assembly shall publish in a general circulation newspaper a summary of the budget and notice of public hearing. Copies of the proposed budget shall be made available to the public.

G. After such public hearings, but no later than June 15th, the assembly may adopt, with or without amendment, the annual budget as proposed by the manager. If it fails to do so, the budget and tax levies submitted by the manager shall be deemed adopted by the assembly as the annual budget. After adoption by the assembly, the manager shall certify the annual budget and CIP list, making them part of the public record.

H. No payment may be authorized or made and no obligation incurred against the borough except in accordance with appropriations duly made by the assembly. No budget appropriations can be encumbered without certification by the chief fiscal officer that there is an unencumbered appropriation and available funds.

I. Nothing contained in this section or other provisions of this title is intended to prevent the authorizing of payment or making of contracts for capital improvements to be financed wholly or partly by the issuance of bonds; nor is it intended to prevent the making, when permitted by law, of any contract or any lease providing for the payment of funds at a time beyond the end of the fiscal year in which the contract or lease is made. But any contract, lease or other obligation requiring the payment of funds from the appropriations of a later fiscal year or of more than one fiscal year shall be made or approved by ordinance. (Ord. 22-06-622 § 4; Ord. 13-03-319 § 4)