The budget document represents the policy direction set by the city council through the strategic planning process. It also represents the preparation and collaboration among the operating departments concerning the best ways to provide services to the city, in the most cost-effective manner. The budget document is intended to give a comprehensive view of the city's day-to-day operations, scheduled capital improvement expenditures and principal and interest payments for outstanding long-term debt.

Budgeting is an essential element of the financial planning, control, and evaluation process of municipal government. The operating budget is the city's annual financial operating plan. The budget includes:

Budget Summary: This section provides a general overview of the proposed budget and identifies key changes from the prior year.

Vision Statements: The vision statements section of the budget provides a view of the various services provided by the city and is organized around the four city council vision statements and the Strategic Plan

Financial Section: This section provides a more traditional "fund accounting" view of the city's budget. Fund summaries and department summaries are provided.

Appendices: The fourth major section of the budget is the appendices, which contains supplemental information to meet specific City Charter requirements and to help the reader better understand the community.

The proposed budget is prepared and presented to the city council 30-90 days before the end of the fiscal year, which is Sept. 30. The city council then reviews and revises the budget and receives citizen input through a public hearing on the proposed budget.

The budget process shall span sufficient time to address policy and fiscal issues by the council.

The council will adopt by ordinance such budget as it may have been amended as the city's annual budget, effective for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The City of College Station received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. To receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan and as a communications device.