CITY OF FERNLEY Newsletter
Winter 2020

2021 Fernley Citizen's Leadership Academy
The goal of the Citizen's Leadership Academy is to teach residents how the City of Fernley government is structured, the programs and services the City provides, how the departments operate, and give participants an opportunity to meet and discuss important City issues with staff and elected officials. The Academy is held annually usually at City Hall; however, in 2021 we will present the first virtual Citizen's Leadership Academy. Sign up by registering in advance for the meetings at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqd-iqqDIjE9w7AXfbYIqvkhnon3CxKn3I
If you cannot attend the virtual meetings, view the power point presentations for each department.
Week 1:
Fernley Chamber Presenation Power Point
City Manager's Office Presentation Power Point
Animal Control Officer Presentation Power Point
Week 2:
City Clerk's Office Power Point Presentation
Finance Department Power Point Presentation
Week 3:
TBA
Week 4:
TBA
Week 5:
TBA
City of Fernley Budget Calendar
The budget process is a joint effort between Finance and the City Manager's Office. The City prepares a tentative budget for each department and by fund, which must be submitted to Nevada Department of Taxation by April 15 of every year. The final budget is due to Taxation by June 1 and is required to be signed by a majority of Council members, including the Mayor.
Mark Your Calendar: The City will conduct several City Council Budget Workshops and Public Hearings. The workshops and public hearings start at 5:00 pm broadcast through Zoom. The workshops and public hearings follow the Open Meeting law and the City encourages public comment. Please email CITYCLERK@CITYOFFERNLEY.ORG for comments.
General Budget Process (NRS 354.596-598)
1. City Council provides staff with priorities.
2. Departments make budget requests.
3. Finance and City Manager determine what is feasible.
4. Submit budgets to Council for final approval.
Council must approve a balanced General Fund Budget.
What is a budget? It's an operational plan. It's a guideline, it's a tool.
What is a budget appropriation? An authorization by a governing body to make expenditures and to incur obligation for specified purposes (approval to spend money.)
How are appropriations made? Budget appropriations are submitted by City staff and approved by City Council. Once approved, the final Department of Taxation (DOT) 30 page budget document is sent to the DOT. It is this document that auditors and the DOT use to ensure the City is not overspending.
What happens if we don't spnd all of our budget appropriations during the year? All budget appropriations expres at the end of the fiscal year. There is no rollover. If approved appropriations are not spent in the current fiscal year, they revert back to fund balance and may be approved to be spent in the next fiscal year during the budget process (NRS 354.620).

City Council Meetings
City Council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin at 5:00 pm and are broadcasted virtually through Zoom.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission (PC) meets the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings begin at 5:00 pm and are broadcasted virtually through Zoom.
Fernely Convention & Tourism Authority
The Fernley Convention & Tourism Authority Board meets at least twice a year, once in June and again in December. Meetings begin at 6:00 pm and are broadcasted virtually through Zoom.