WINDSOR'S
ANNUAL BUDGETING PROCESS The annual budget, developed jointly by Windsor's Town Board and staff, is arguably one of the most important policy documents that the Town produces each year. All segments of Windsor’s operations and residents are affected by the annual budget. Consequently, the process has evolved into year-round effort aimed at including the entire community. The process for the 2021 budget began after the April 2020 Mayoral and Town Board district representative election. That's when the first of many joint meetings between the Town Board, Town Manager and department heads was held. From there, staff gathered public input during meetings and events held last summer, and a Strategic Plan was developed, setting the town's priorities and financial direction. Based on priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan, staff then began planning the capital program for the next five years. From June through August, departments prepared operational budgets detailing the amount of funding required to maintain service levels and to improve services and programs. Departmental budget
requests were reviewed initially by the Director of Finance, followed by the Town Manager, and lastly by the Town Board which attended a series of budget worksessions prior to the 2021 budget's formal adoption. All operating and capital requests were considered within the framework of town anticipated revenue and community goals. By mid-October, the Town Manager was required to submit a proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year to the Town Board. The Town Manager continues to remain obligated to include a long-range capital program for the ensuing fiscal year and the four fiscal years thereafter in the budget or concurrently with the budget submission. In general, the Town Board must adopt the budget by resolution at a public hearing on or before December 31. In Windsor, budget approval usually takes place before the end of November. This year, the process begins again as Town Board and staff will begin work to develop the 2022 budget starting in the spring. To access the complete 2021 budget, visit windsorgov.com/ Finance.
SALES TAX & GROWTH Through 2020, sales tax growth trends slightly outpaced population growth. For 2021, sales taxes have been conservatively estimated due to the economic uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.
40,000
$14M
30,000
$10M
20,000
$6M 10,000 $2M '11
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Sales Tax
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Population WINDSOR MATTERS |
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