IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

A THOROUGH STUDY OF THE FORMS AND CAREFUL PREPARATION OF THE BUDGET DOCUMENT WILL SAVE TIME, LABOR, AND INCONVENIENCE TO

ALL CONCERNED.  YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS WILL PROVE MUTUALLY HELPFUL.

I.   LEVY PAGE

A.  Enter all valuations and extend levies on each item of Real Estate, Personal Property, and Public Utility Property.  Subtotal each class valuations and taxes

levied thereon.  The amounts for the Assessed Values Tax Purposes column must be those amounts reflected on the Certificate of Valuation STC 12:40 (Revised 12/99).

B.  Extend Taxes in WHOLE DOLLARS, Do not carry out to the cents.

C.  Do not use levy rates in excess of two decimal places.

D.  Do not use less than 2.5% or more than 7.5% for delinquencies, exonerations, and uncollectable taxes, unless, historically, collections indicate a lesser amount.

II.   REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE PAGES

A.  State all amounts in WHOLE DOLLARS, Do not include cents.

B.  Do not complete the "APPROVED REVISIONS" columns.

C.  Supply all information requested.

III.  SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - BE SURE TO COMPLETE ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED ON PAGES 18 through 20.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

BUDGET MEETINGS:  Between March 7 and March 28 of each year the Municipal Council/County Commission must meet to construct the

budget for the next fiscal year.  During this three week period every elected official, governmental agency, and organization seeking financial support,

must appear before the Municipal Council/County Commission to list the projected requirements for the coming year.

SUBMITTING BUDGET:  One certified copy of the Budget Document must be submitted to the State Auditor on or before March 28.  No photocopies, fax copies

or carbon copies will be accepted.

PUBLICATION OF BUDGET DOCUMENT:  After Municipal Council/County Commission adopts the Budget, the entity must begin publication of the Budget Document.  It

must be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in TWO (2) newspapers of general circulation and of opposite politics published in the area.  If the area has only

one such newspaper, publish in only that one.

AUDIT AND REVIEW BY THE STATE AUDITOR:  The State Auditor will audit and review the Budget Document.  Prior to the third Tuesday in

April, the Auditor will notify the entity by letter of the results of this audit and review.  If the Auditor requires any changes by this letter, these changes must

be made immediately.

LAYING THE LEVY:  Each entity MUST MEET on the THIRD TUESDAY IN APRIL, to officially lay the levy.  This entails the hearing of objections and

the adoption of the levy rates to be used during the next fiscal year.  TWO (2) copies of the Levy Order and Rate Sheet must be mailed to the

State Auditor and ONE (1) copy of the Levy Order and Rate Sheet MUST be mailed to the State Auditor within three (3) days after the third Tuesday in April.

DO NOT MAIL THESE IN WITH THE BUDGET.

BUDGET REVISIONS:  Regulations published by the State Auditor prescribe the procedure for a local governmental unit to amend the budget.

Revisions must be approved prior to obligation or expenditure of funds.