On May 9th, 2023 the City Manager presented the Submitted Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 to the City Council in accordance with the Section 8.2 of the City Charter. Section 8.5 of the City Charter further provides that "The council may insert, strike  out, increase, or decrease items in the budget, and otherwise amend it, but may not increase any estimate of anticipated revenues therein unless the city manager certifies that, in the city manager’s judgment, the amount estimated will be revenue of the fiscal year."

City staff has been requested to prepare a budget amendment that would reduce funding for Councilmember Automobile Allowances by $21,600 and increase funding for Non-Departmental Community Engagement by $21,600. Both line items are contained within the General Fund.

The City of Independence last conducted a Citizen Satisfaction Survey in 2018. Information from this survey helps City officials evaluate community priorities and citizen's satisfaction with certain services so that the City can align resources to match community needs and expectations.

If approved, this item would amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Submitted Budget by reducing the following account in the General Fund by the following amount:

4002-5122 Councilmember Car Allowance: ($21,600)

This item would further amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Submitted Budget by increasing the following account in the General Fund by the following amount:

4205-5226 Non-Departmental Community Engagement: $21,600