Research & Budget DepartmentResearch & Budget Department

 

Financial Excellence. The Budget & Research Department is committed to maintaining a fiscally sound and sustainable financial plan and budget that reflects community values and resident priorities. To provide input about your budget priorities, visit FundPHX.


 

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Accordion Script

2020-21 Budget Development

Budget and Research presented the preliminary 2020-21 budget status and 5-year general fund forecast through FY 2024-25 at the City Council policy session on March 3 for information and discussion.

The 5 year forecast is a tool for long-term planning and shows a structurally balanced budget, where ongoing revenues are available to support existing city programs and services.

The forecast currently shows a projected surplus of approximately $28 million for FY 2020-21, which is as a result of deliberate fiscal planning, a strong economy, and sustained effort by city staff to spend wisely.

Most of the savings accumulated are one-time savings due to proactive cost reductions. The forecast is based on pre-holiday sales tax collections and assumes no economic downturn for 12-15 months.

 Budget Status & Five-Year General Fund Forecast (PDF)

Phoenix Fiscal Reform Benefits:

  • $134 million in innovation & efficiency savings since 2010.

  • Net reduction in city employee count of about 2,700 positions since FY2007-08, smallest government per capita since 1970-71.

  • Highest contingency fund level in history to prepare for recession.

  • Balanced deficit in Public Safety funds without sworn layoffs.

  • Includes planned hiring of 425 Police Officers & 90 Firefighters.

  • Includes creating a Pension Reserve Fund.      

City Manager's

Trial Budget Process

Phoenix City Charter requires a balanced budget each year. The following details the schedule for City Council presentations on the proposed City Manager's Trial Budget. Due to COVID 19 restrictions there is a revised budget adoption schedule.

  • March 12, 2020 -City Manager's Proposed Trial Budget and Preliminary 5YR Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
  • March 17, 2020 -Trial Budget presentation cancelled due to COVID 19 restrictions.

  • April 2-22, 2020 Community Budget Hearings -Due to restrictions on public gatherings, normal and customary community budget hearings have been cancelled.

  • April 2, 2020 -City Manager will present for discussion four different budget scenarios modeling the potential impact of COVID 19 on General Fund revenues.
  • April 6, 2020 -City Manager will present a revised Trial Budget based on Council feedback that addresses the anticipated negative revenue impact due to COVID 19. 
City Manager's Proposed Trial Budget (PDF)Prelimary 5 Yr Capital Improvement Program (PDF)

Community Input

Community input and feedback is a valuable part of the budget process, unfortunately this year due to COVID 19 restrictions on public gatherings, all customary community budget hearings have been cancelled until further notice. City staff are working on alternative formats for community input. Residents may review and submit comments on the 20-21 proposed budget at budget.research@phoenix.gov.

Budget Feedback Form

Access City Council Audience Free Meetings

2018-19 Budget. We Want to Hear From You! Questions or Comments? Email: Budget.Research@Phoenix.gov. Phone: 602-262-4800. Follow #PhoenixBudget on Social Media

 

FundPHX digital ad
Try the FundPHX Budgeting Tool​​

Use the Playlist menu (upper left corner of video) to watch a specific Budget Hearing video.

Ver video en español

Current Budget Books & Reports

Priorities

Firefighter
  • Maintain high bond ratings
  • Prioritize funding plans for critical infrastructure
  • Provide accurate and reliable forecasting
  • Maintain a transparent financial environment

Goals

Officer with child
  • Expand community engagement effort to involve and educate the public on the budget process.  
  • Continue to improve economic forecasting by consulting with UofA which coordinates the State Forecasting Project.

Budget Timeline

Firefighter

August-February: Revenue and expenditure estimates are updated.

April: Public budget hearings are held and input is provided to Council.

May: City Manager's Budget presented and Council provides policy guidance.

June: Tentative and Final budgets are presented to Council and the 5-year Capital Improvement Program is adopted.

July: Council adopts the property tax rates and property tax levies specified in the budget.

Budget Ordinances, Summary Schedules & State Forms

Estimate of Revenue & Expenses (State Forms)

Budget Guide

Learn how City operations are funded and how tax dollars are spent. Explore all the City programs and services.     

Citywide Inventory of Programs (PDF)

Related Information

Budget LibraryFinancial Strategic PlanManagement Intern ProgramPension Funding Policies​

Additional Resources

City Council Meetings
Finance
Phoenix Checkbook
Public Record Requests​​​

​Budget Calendar

 

 

CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 6https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/budget/3475CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 6District 6, Pecos Community Center, 17010 S 48th Street4/2/2020 3:00:00 PM4/2/2020 5:00:00 PMGP0|#b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5;L0|#0b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5|Budget ＆ Research;GTSet|#517b07ab-dd83-4937-994c-c703834583f1;GPP|#c91454cd-5b28-4d66-bc01-17d32298aa9b Residents are invited to attend community hearings to discuss the City Manager's Trial Budget before final decisions are made. At the hearings, residents will have an opportunity to comment and make suggestions. Phoenix City Council members and staff from the City Manager's Office, Budget and Research Department, and other city departments will be available to answer questions. This public discussion is among the reasons the city's budget so closely matches the community's highest priorities each fiscal year. Residents may review and submit comments on the 2020-21 proposed budget at the city's website at https//Phoenix.gov/Budget For more information, alternative formats of the proposed budget, or reasonable accommodations, please email budget.research@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-4800, TTY please use 7 - 1 - 1. Meeting end time is estimated.
CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 6https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/budget/3166CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 6District 6, Devonshire Community Center, Auditorium, 2802 E Devonshire Avenue4/2/2020 5:30:00 PM4/2/2020 7:30:00 PMGP0|#b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5;L0|#0b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5|Budget ＆ Research;GTSet|#517b07ab-dd83-4937-994c-c703834583f1;GPP|#c91454cd-5b28-4d66-bc01-17d32298aa9b ​Residents are invited to attend community hearings to discuss the City Manager’s Trial Budget before final decisions are made. At the hearings, residents will have an opportunity to comment and make suggestions. Phoenix City Council members and staff from the City Manager's Office, Budget and Research Department, and other city departments will be available to answer questions. This public discussion is among the reasons the city's budget so closely matches the community's highest priorities each fiscal year. Residents may review and submit comments the 2020-21 proposed budget at the city’s website at https//Phoenix.gov/Budget For more information, alternative formats of the proposed budget, or reasonable accommodations, please email budget.research@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-4800, TTY please use 7 - 1 - 1. Meeting end time is estimated.
City Manager Trial Budget Discussion https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/budget/3527City Manager Trial Budget Discussion City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.4/2/2020 9:30:00 PM4/3/2020 12:00:00 AMGP0|#b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5;L0|#0b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5|Budget ＆ Research;GTSet|#517b07ab-dd83-4937-994c-c703834583f1;GPP|#c91454cd-5b28-4d66-bc01-17d32298aa9b ​The City Manager will present for discussion four different budget scenarios modeling the potential impact of COVID 19 on General Fund revenues. The City Council Reports can be found on the City Council Meetings page. Start and end times are estimated. ​​Per the most recent guidelines from the federal government that no more than 10 people should be gathered in a room at the same time, no residents will be allowed in the Council Chambers.​ for this meeting. You can find City Council Reports and how to participate remotely on the City Council Meetings page.
CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 7/8https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/budget/3476CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 7/8District 7/8, South Mountain Community Center, Century Room, 212 E Alta Vista Road4/3/2020 1:00:00 AM4/3/2020 3:00:00 AMGP0|#b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5;L0|#0b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5|Budget ＆ Research;GTSet|#517b07ab-dd83-4937-994c-c703834583f1;GPP|#c91454cd-5b28-4d66-bc01-17d32298aa9b Residents are invited to attend community hearings to discuss the City Manager's Trial Budget before final decisions are made. At the hearings, residents will have an opportunity to comment and make suggestions. Phoenix City Council members and staff from the City Manager's Office, Budget and Research Department, and other city departments will be available to answer questions. This public discussion is among the reasons the city's budget so closely matches the community's highest priorities each fiscal year. Residents may review and submit comments on the 2020-21 proposed budget at the city's website at https//Phoenix.gov/Budget For more information, alternative formats of the proposed budget, or reasonable accommodations, please email budget.research@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-4800, TTY please use 7 - 1 - 1. Meeting end time is estimated.
CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 5https://www.phoenix.gov/calendar/budget/3477CANCELLED - Community Budget Hearing, District 5District 5, Pendergast Community Center, Multipurpose Room, 10550 W. Mariposa Street4/3/2020 1:00:00 AM4/3/2020 3:00:00 AMGP0|#b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5;L0|#0b8191dab-1b37-4552-a2cc-bb0cb05f34f5|Budget ＆ Research;GTSet|#517b07ab-dd83-4937-994c-c703834583f1;GPP|#c91454cd-5b28-4d66-bc01-17d32298aa9b Residents are invited to attend community hearings to discuss the City Manager's Trial Budget before final decisions are made. At the hearings, residents will have an opportunity to comment and make suggestions. Phoenix City Council members and staff from the City Manager's Office, Budget and Research Department, and other city departments will be available to answer questions. This public discussion is among the reasons the city's budget so closely matches the community's highest priorities each fiscal year. Residents may review and submit comments on the 2020-21 proposed budget at the city's website at https//Phoenix.gov/Budget For more information, alternative formats of the proposed budget, or reasonable accommodations requests, please email budget.research@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-4800, TTY please use 7 - 1 - 1. Meeting end time is estimated.

​Frequently Asked Questions