Because Jefferson City's budgeting process will require more haste this year, waste must be avoided.
The city must adopt its annual budget before Nov. 1, the start of its fiscal year. Previous budget discussions have begun as early as July.
Last year, former City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus publicly unveiled his proposed budget in mid-May, with Mayor Eric Struemph delivering his own proposal to the 10-member City Council in mid-July.
This year's process will be condensed, with no plans for the mayor to unveil his draft budget until after the Missouri Legislature's veto session, which begins Sept. 10.
Budgets invariably include variables; the budgeting process is a mixture of statistics, experience and assumptions.
This year, Jefferson City is among communities throughout Missouri that have delayed the onset of the budget process. The delay is prompted by variables created by the state.
One of those variables was decided in the August primary, when voters statewide rejected a three-quarter cent sales tax for transportation. A portion of those tax revenues would have flowed to counties and cities, including - in Jefferson City's case - money for public transportation.
Other variables - notably, a number of vetoed sales tax exemptions - remain. In the aftermath of the vetoes, Bill Betts, the city's interim finance director, said: "We're not sure what all that means. We're kind of waiting to see how it turns out."
What it means for Jefferson City, and others, is a truncated time frame for an important process.
Budgets must be refined through public hearings and council discussion and debate. Budgeting by rubber stamp does not serve taxpayers.
We urge council members and the public to familiarize themselves with the process and the possible permutations this year. Much budget consideration will be required during a relatively brief duration.
Once the variables are known, readiness will be essential.