Strategic budgeting took center stage at the Jackson Town Council workshop on September 16, 2025, as officials outlined a new approach aimed at long-term financial planning. The discussion emphasized the need to shift from traditional annual budgeting, which focuses solely on the upcoming year, to a more comprehensive strategy that spans two to five years.

Council members highlighted the importance of aligning on the purpose and objectives of this strategic budgeting initiative. They stressed that early engagement with the community is crucial, as it requires time and careful planning to execute effectively. “We need to decide fairly early on if we want to do a pretty in-depth engagement,” one member noted, underscoring the challenges of retrofitting community input into the budgeting process.

The workshop also clarified the differences between annual and strategic budgeting. While annual budgeting is primarily about balancing expenses and revenues for the next year, strategic budgeting allows for a broader perspective, accommodating projections and uncertainties over multiple years. “We have to get comfortable with some ranges and different numbers,” a council member explained, acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of economic forecasts.

Key objectives of the strategic budgeting process include maintaining a healthy general fund reserve and exploring various revenue tools that are not typically available in annual budgets. This approach aims to provide the council with the flexibility to implement long-term projects and services that benefit the community.

As Jackson moves forward with this strategic budgeting initiative, the council is committed to ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the process, setting the stage for a more sustainable financial future.