Can the budget committee add or delete programs or services?
Generally, the budget committee’s role is not to directly establish or eliminate specific programs or services. Standards and budget parameters established by the governing body give the budget officer and administrative staff general guidelines for budget development. The budget officer then prepares a budget which reflects the governing body’s parameters. This proposed budget is what the budget committee considers during its meetings. Budget committee influence on programs and services is most often exerted at a higher level, when it approves the overall budget and establishes the tax levy. Having said all that, if a majority of the budget committee agree, they can add or delete funding for specific services. However, final authority for administration rests with the governing body, so they can make changes after the budget committee has approved the budget.
