A Guide to the City of Raleigh Budget

This guide provides a brief overview of the operating budget document and defines its unique sections. Budget sections can be viewed by selecting any of the Related Information links to the right of this page.

Credits and Table of Contents provides information about the authors and contributors of the budget document as well as the page numbers of each section.

The Introduction includes the City Manager's message to the City Council, highlighting specific factors that have influenced the fiscal year's operating budget and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, as well as any major changes from the previous year. The Introduction further includes:

• An explanation of the budget document purpose and factors that shape the City's budget process
• A Budget Guide that explains how to read each departmental budget
• A depiction of the area each Council member represents within the City and the City of Raleigh Mission Statement
• A profile of the City of Raleigh, city statistics, and the City of Raleigh's organizational chart

The Revenue Summary provides the projected revenues for the fiscal year and an explanation of each revenue source.

Each department's budget for the fiscal year is provided in the Adopted Budget Document:

• General Government includes the budgets of the City Council, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Budget and Management Services, Agency Appropriations, Finance, Information Technology, Personnel, Public Affairs, and Special Appropriations
• Infrastructure and Public Services includes Community Development and associated federal and City programs, Community Services, Development Services, Inspections, Planning, Public Works (PW), PW-Parking, PW-Transit, PW-Stormwater, PW-Vehicle Fleet Services, and Solid Waste Services
• Public Safety includes Police, Fire, and the Emergency Communications Center
• Leisure Services includes Parks & Recreation (including the Arts Commission Office), the Revolving Fund, and the Raleigh Convention Center
• Public Utilities provides treatment and distribution of the City's drinking water as well as the collection and treatment of wastewater
• Other Funds includes the Convention Debt Service Fund, Economic Development Fund, General Debt Service Fund, Parking Debt Service Fund, Risk Management Fund, and Utilities Debt Service Fund

The Capital Summary provides the budgeted amount for major public facility improvements from a number of capital funds. This section also provides a description of each capital fund.

The Sustainability Message describes the Sustainability Initiative adopted by the City Council. It also explains how each department is specifically working toward the City of Raleigh's goal to become a leading sustainable city.

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a ten-year financial plan that analyzes major facility needs, projects fiscal resources, establishes priorities, and develops schedules for the acquisition and construction of capital facilities.

Paper versions of these and other budget documents are available for review in the Administrative Services Department located in the Municipal Building Room 302 at 222 W. Hargett Street any weekday from 8:15 a.m. until 5:15 p.m.

Other financial documents, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) are prepared and made available by the Finance Department, Internal Audits Division.