Every city government prepares a budget that is a plan of expected revenues and expenditures, as well as savings reserves for emergency and future use.
The City of North Plains operates on a biennial (two-year) budget. Before the second year of the biennium starts, there is an annual review by the Budget Committee, and then if needed, a City Council amendment process as required by state law. During the budget process, the North Plains City Council, the City’s Budget Committee, and city staff work to create a budget that aligns with the city’s goals, priorities, and strategic initiatives.
For a new biennial budget, the Budget Committee usually meets 1-2 times per year in April prior to the first year of the new biennium to consider the City’s two-year operating budgets and capital budgets which are split into individual fiscal years which start July 1 and end on the following June 30. The Committee concludes its meetings with a recommended biennial budget for City Council to consider adopting, which usually happens in early June.
In the spring preceding the second year of the biennium, the Committee meets to get a progress report from City staff and hears about any necessary changes to the adopted biennial budget, as well as fiscal planning the City is doing that will affect the following biennium. Because a biennial budget is adopted for a full two-year period, any changes to the biennial budget do not require Budget Committee action. Instead, all changes are made by the City Council at an appropriate time through a standard supplemental budget adoption procedure. Modifications to the biennial budget can happen for unforeseen changes or new opportunities to meet community needs and City Council goals.
North Plains operates with a budget of around $10 million annually* (or $20 million biennially*) across various fund categories including the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, and Capital Funds. The city budget is constantly monitored and the City also uses a budget forecasting tool to look further into the future and help guide decision-making processes.
*There is also about the same amount reflected in the budget that is held in reserves for emergency and contingency funds.
We welcome and encourage public participation in the budget process. For more information, please see current and past budget documents below, visit our
Budget Committee webpage, read our
City Budget 101 article, or call us at 503-647-5555.
These are large .pdf documents and may require a few moments to download.
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