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The process leading to the adoption
of the Town of Windsor budget is participatory and encourages input from citizens, boards
and commissions, town departments and the Town Council. The budget process focuses on
identifying funding levels necessary to continue basic municipal services, Council
priorities and community goals.
Council Priorities
At the beginning of the budget process, the Council adopts
a set of priorities that focuses on the use of current resources in specific areas that
have been identified as the most critical. These priorities are used by the departments in
formulating goals, objectives, and strategies used to gauge the allocation of resources
for the accomplishment of long-term goals. These priorities are also used by departments
in formulating budget requests for the following fiscal year. The priorities are outlined
in the Town Manager’s Budget Message.
Capital Improvements Plan
In accordance with the Town of Windsor Charter, the Town
Manager shall present to the Town Council a six-year capital improvements program and
shall recommend to the Council those projects to be undertaken during the first year of
the program and the method of financing such projects. The six-year Capital Improvements
Program may be found in Appendix A and the one-year Capital Projects Budget is located in
Section O – General Services.
Council Retreat and Public Hearings
At the beginning of the budget process, the Town Council
conducts a retreat to focus on the Town Manager’s goals and direction for the ensuing
year. After the Council retreat, public hearings are held to solicit input from the
community as to its priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and to hear public opinion
regarding the proposed budget once it has been submitted to the Council by the Town
Manager and Board of Education.
Town Manager’s Proposed Budget
The Town Manager is required by the Windsor Town Charter
to present to the Council a Proposed Operating Budget and a Capital Improvements Plan at
least thirty days before the date of the annual budget meeting of the town. The proposed
budget contains a detailed allocation of projected revenues and expenditures for all of
the Town’s various funds and a summary of the Town’s debt position. The Manager
also includes a budget message that outlines the essential elements of Town Council and
other long-term strategies and goals.
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