Miss Tan presents budget overview amid tight deadlines and OpenGov challenges

The Balch Springs City Council convened on September 2, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding the city’s budget process, emphasizing the urgency of finalizing the budget and tax rate ahead of the September 17 deadline. City Finance Director Miss Tan presented a comprehensive overview of the budget, highlighting the challenges faced during the transition to a new budgeting software, OpenGov.

Miss Tan explained that the city had encountered significant hurdles in utilizing OpenGov effectively, which had resulted in reliance on Excel for budget preparation in the previous year. This transition has been complicated by incomplete setups and data migration issues, leading to inaccuracies in budget numbers. Despite these challenges, she assured council members that the team is making progress and is approximately 75% ready to launch the system fully.

The council is set to hold a public hearing on both the budget and tax rate the following Monday, where residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask questions. The urgency of the meeting was underscored by the need to adopt the budget promptly to avoid further delays, which could necessitate a special meeting the following week.

In addition to the budget discussions, Miss Tan introduced new features of OpenGov that will enhance transparency and accessibility for residents. Once fully operational, the platform will allow citizens to view departmental budgets in real-time, including historical data and projections, fostering greater community engagement and understanding of city finances.

As the council prepares for the upcoming public hearing, the focus remains on ensuring that the budget reflects the needs and priorities of Balch Springs residents while navigating the complexities of the new financial management system. The outcomes of these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the city’s financial landscape for the coming year.