Highlights
- Our Budget Book has received GFOA's (Government Finance Officers Association) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award annually since 1992.
Financial Planning Division
Finance Department
Columbus Consolidated Government
P.O. Box 1340
Columbus, GA 31902-1340
Telephone: 706-653-4085
Fax: 706-653-4086
Our Mission
To facilitate the implementation, development and execution of the budget process; prepare special
financial analysis, forecast revenues and expenditures, assist our external and internal customers
and protect the financial stability of the government.
Division Profile
The Financial Planning Division is responsible for the
overall development and monitoring of the annual operating and capital
improvement budgets. Additionally, the division provides policy support
to departments with guidance and direction from the City Manager while
providing technical, analytical, and research support during the budget
season and on budget policy and financial operations.
Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on the following June 30th. Budget is responsible for
making sure the new budget is posted in the accounting software and ready to go for the new fiscal
year.
The Budget Process begins in October in preparation and planning for the next fiscal
year. Department Budget Kickoff normally occurs in early January where we instruct departments on
fiscal condition and what is expected for budget submission. Budgets are due in mid-February. The
two weeks prior to budget review, budget analyst review budget submissions, verify data, and prepare
the information for the City Manager's review. March's City Manager's review includes determining a
viable budget based on priority needs, available revenues to come out with a balanced budget - it is
also reviewed and approved by the Mayor. In April, we prepare a budget document to present the
Recommended Document to Council and the public.
The Mayor must submit the Recommended Budget to Council no less than 60 days prior to each fiscal year.
The budget must include operating and capital expenditures accompanied by revenues. Once Council reviews
and adjusts the budget. There are a series of hearings that are advertised for public comment. The budget
and millage rate ordinances are approved upon the Second Reading. They must be approved by July 1. In
June, we load the new budget into the accounting software, and after the new Fiscal Year begins, we must
prepare the Final budget document for Submission to GFOA to be submitted within 90 days of approval of the
budget (late September). In October, the process begins again.
Our Fiscal Year
Our Budget Season
The Financial Planning Team:
Pam Hodge, Finance Director
Renee Sturkie, Assistant Finance Director
Lionel Haynes, Budget and Management Analyst
John Johnson, Budget and Management Analyst

