ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Tompkins County is outlining its budget process for the public.

County officials have launched a series of informational releases, titled “Understanding Your County Budget,” on their website.

Over the next four weeks, officials will break down key concepts and steps in developing the spending plan. Week one covers what the county does and who pays for it. Week two will touch on the challenges of building a budget, and week three will examine how it’s built. Week four will feature information on the property tax cap and the significance of the County Administrator’s recommended budget presentation, scheduled for September 1.

The recommended budget is typically a starting point for personnel and lawmakers to begin the process of making and voting on additions, cuts, or changes. After that presentation, the info series will continue with guidance on the proposal and the Legislature’s expanded budget committee meetings.

That work will span multiple weeks, and the meetings will be open to the community and livestreamed on YouTube. A public hearing on the final budget draft must be held before its expected adoption, which is likely to come in early to mid-November.

You can access the Understanding Your County Budget information and follow the process here.