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City presents proposed home-rule charter amendment to alter budget schedule; possible June ballot item
Summary
City Manager introduced a proposed amendment to allow the council to set budget deadlines by resolution instead of fixed charter dates, reflecting a 2021 state law shift; staff will prepare ordinance language for first reading and explain the proposal to voters if council advances it.
City staff introduced a proposed home-rule charter amendment that would replace date-specific budget deadlines in Vermillion's charter with a flexible, 'date set by resolution' approach.
John, the city manager, told the council that a 2021 change in state law allows municipalities to adopt budgets later in the year — potentially as late as November — and that the proposed charter language would give the council latitude to set a budget schedule within state statutory guardrails. "What we're proposing there is basically a set of guardrails," he said, describing three charter changes that would make the submission and adoption dates adjustable by resolution and require the budget to be available for public inspection at least 10 days before adoption.
Council members asked whether it would be better to reference state statute rather than a date range so future legislative changes would not force additional charter elections. The city manager said staff will refine language, consult the city attorney, and bring a draft ordinance for first reading Feb. 17 if the council wishes. If the council advances the proposal, the city would need to adopt an ordinance and meet publication timelines in time for voters to consider the amendment on the June 2 ballot.
