City of Bessemer City
Budget
The City budget, audits, and how the budget is adopted each year.
The annual City Budget is the City’s policy document for reaching the goals and service levels set by the Mayor and City Council’s priorities. Developing the budget is a collective effort of the elected officials, the City Manager and department heads. The City Manager serves as the City’s Budget Officer.
The City’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Current budget: FY 2026-27
City Council adopted the FY 2026-27 budget in June 2026, together with the FY 2027 Strategic Plan.
- Budget Ordinance, FY 2026-27 (Signed)
- Fee Schedule, FY 2026-27 (Adopted)
- City Manager’s Recommended Budget Report, FY 2026-27
- Strategic Plan, FY 2027
Previous year: FY 2025-26
Audits
The City’s finances are audited each year by an independent auditor and reviewed by the North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC).
- Annual Audit Report, 2023-2024
- Audit Letter, FY 2024-25 (Financial Performance Indicators of Concern)
- Audit Letter, FY 2023-24
- LGC Planning Memo (April 2025)
See all audits and annual reports
How the budget is adopted
Each spring the budget follows the steps required by the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act:
- Department requests. Department heads submit their budget requests to the City Manager (Budget Officer) before April 30. (G.S. 159-10)
- Council work sessions. The City Manager and City Council review priorities in budget work sessions, which are open to the public.
- Recommended budget. The City Manager presents the recommended budget and budget message to City Council by June 1. (G.S. 159-11(b)) The same day, the City Clerk files it for public inspection and a notice of the public hearing is published. (G.S. 159-12)
- Public hearing. City Council holds at least one public hearing on the budget before adopting it. (G.S. 159-12(b))
- Adoption. City Council adopts the budget ordinance at least 10 days after it is submitted and by July 1. (G.S. 159-13(a))
Budget work sessions and hearings are listed on the Minutes & Agendas page and the events calendar. Questions about the budget? Contact the Finance Department or City Hall at 704-629-5542.