How will your tax dollars be spent?

The city of Abilene is getting ready to discuss its budget for 2013. The city started their budget process in February and it ends in September.

"We start looking at what the revenues are and where we are at and start getting the budget process ready," Director of Finance, Mindy Patterson said.

Patterson and her staff are crunching numbers to prepare the city budget. Each city department prepares their budget before it goes to the finance department.

"Then it's sent back up to the finance department at that point the finance team scrubs numbers," Patterson said.

Abilene City Manager, Larry Gilley then reviews the budget before it is presented to the city council.

Councilman Robert Briley said looking over budgets is always a difficult process despite the local economy improving. Sales tax numbers have been up for 19 consecutive months.

"Well obviously I'm concerned about the tax payers money," Briley said. "We've got to make sure we're very frugal with it."

The bottom line: the city plans on having another tight budget year ahead.

"I anticipate it being a pretty flat budget," said Patterson.

The city council will review the budget on July 30 and 31.  A public hearing will be set to discuss the budget on August 9.

The final budget hearing will be on September 24.