Background on the Budget for 2012

Each year, the City of Chesapeake prepares a budget to guide spending for the year. The budget includes an estimate of the money that will be available to meet City obligations. The budget also includes an estimate of the annual cost of providing services to residents. Every City department develops a spending plan based on its mission and the services that it provides.  Because City budgets must be balanced, the collective spending plans of all City departments cannot exceed total available resources.

Since the demand for services is greater than available resources, the City must prioritize needs so that the budget remains balanced.  In the coming months, the City Manager will work with individual departments to determine resource requirements for next year. In late March, the Manager will recommend the annual spending plan based on expected resources.  City Council will then consider the Manager’s recommendation and determine the appropriate revenue and spending levels in order to balance the annual budget.  The City Council must approve a plan by May 15th of each year.

Each year City Council approves two budgets: one for the day-to-day operations of the City and a second budget for capital projects that provide long-term benefits to the City and its residents.  The City’s operating budget for the current year is $951.3 million and includes:

• public schools
• public safety (fire, police, sheriff) and courts
• city governance and management
• collection and disposal of solid waste (trash and recycling)
• economic development, permits, and planning (land use)
• general government debt payments
• health and human services
• libraries
• maintenance of city streets, roads, and bridges (including Expressway)
• mosquito control
• parks and recreation
• storm water operations
• water and sewer services

• City of Chesapeake Organization
• Operating Budget Process
• Budget Calendar
• Capital Budget Process
• Long Range Planning and the Operating Budget
• City Council Priority-Based Resource Allocation Results
• Short Term Budget and Financial Policies Guiding Development of the Operating Budget
• Debt Management Policies
• Long Term Financial & Programmatic Policies
• Financial Structure, Basis of Accounting & Budgeting

• Economic Conditions and Assumptions
• Revenue Forecast and Other Resources
• Expenditure Forecast and Drivers
• Revenue/Expenditure Summary
• Debt Metrics
• Payroll & Conclusion

The operating budget covers all essential services delivered by City governments.  In contrast, the capital budget is focused on the design, construction, and renovation of community facilities and infrastructure.  The capital budget for the current year is $461 million and includes:

•   Replacement of Dominion Boulevard between Cedar Road and Great Bridge Boulevard
•   Extending Woodlake Road to Battlefield Boulevard
•   Constructing a new Emergency Operations and Dispatch Center building outside of the flood plane
•   Upgrades to the water, sewer, and Stormwater systems
•   Replacement of school HVAC and roofing systems