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Subcommittee reviews budget process, tools and deadlines ahead of 2025 session
Summary
Legislative fiscal staff walked members of the Economic and Community Development Subappropriations Committee through the base budget, the Compendium of Budget Information and online tools, and reminded members of deadlines for requests for appropriations.
SALT LAKE CITY — Legislative fiscal staff briefed members of the Economic and Community Development Subappropriations Committee on Wednesday on how the committee will evaluate agency budgets during the 2025 session, outlining the base budget bill, online tools and key deadlines.
The committee heard from Gary Siefers of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (LFA) office and Josh Pittman of the Office of the Legislative Financial Analyst, who explained how to use the committee web pages, the Compendium of Budget Information (COBI) and related reports when reviewing agency requests. Siefers told members the base budget bill reflects ongoing funding carried forward from last year and that the committee is expected to vote on a bill by the 10th day of the session. Pittman reminded members that the deadline to submit legislator requests for appropriations (RFAs) is Jan. 31 at noon and that RFAs now require more detailed supporting documentation.
The analysts reviewed how the budget is structured—agency, line item and program—and flagged categories members should watch, including general fund and income tax fund amounts, restricted accounts, dedicated credits and federal funds. Siefers said workforce services’ federal funding is substantial and will appear on the committee’s materials; staff estimated roughly $1,000,000,000 in federal funds flowing through Workforce Services for the items within the committee’s scope. The analysts also explained the difference between statutory fees, which require law changes to alter, and regulatory fees, which are set by administrative rule and reauthorized annually through the fee bill.
Committee staff demonstrated the online fund-balance and budget publication tools available at budget.utah.gov and described the end products the committee will generate, including a prioritization list and the base budget recommendation that moves up to the Executive Appropriations Committee. Siefers and Pittman said staff will help members draft intent language, explain funding sources and prepare amendments during the session.
The subcommittee adjourned by voice vote after the day’s presentations.
