Palm Bay City Council Creates Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board, Will Consist of Seven Members

By  //  December 1, 2017

Board will provide direct input to City leadership

At the November 16 regular Council meeting, Palm Bay City Council passed an ordinance establishing a Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board. “The Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board is a great way for citizens to get involved in the budget process and have significant input in the spending practices of our City,” according to Councilman Harry Santiago, Jr.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA –  At the November 16 regular Council meeting, Palm Bay City Council passed an ordinance establishing a Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board.

“The Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board is a great way for citizens to get involved in the budget process and have significant input in the spending practices of our City,” said Councilman Harry Santiago, Jr.

“I also believe this will be a great way for the public to learn about the challenges and intricacies of the City’s budget as we seek solutions for the betterment of Palm Bay.”

Having determined a need for formalized citizen input into the City’s budgetary process, Council moved to form the Board in order to promote the health, safety, financial soundness and general welfare of the City of Palm Bay.

The Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board will be responsible for providing direct input to City leadership to ensure transparency and communication of budgetary matters to the residents of Palm Bay.

With the formation of the new Advisory Board, citizens will have a direct impact on the City’s annual budget process by reviewing the proposed City budget, the capital improvement plan, budget amendments and budget updates.

According to the ordinance, these functions should be carried out with special consideration to potential cost-savings, revenue generation opportunities, economic development, public services, job creation and job retention in the City of Palm Bay. 

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The ordinance stipulates that seven members will serve on the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Board. Each Councilmember will have the opportunity to appoint a citizen to the Board, who will serve four-year terms concurrent to that of their appointing Councilmember.

There will also be two at-large positions on the board that will be installed for four-year terms by way of a majority Council vote. The Board may elect to hold meetings as frequently as once a month, however, the Board may determine how often meetings are warranted. All meetings will be noticed and open to the public.

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