Each year, the Controller's Office gathers City department budget requests to prepare the City's annual budget. Expenditure and revenue estimates are compiled and the Mayor with input from the Common Council makes decisions regarding spending priorities. Individual departmental budgets are presented to the Common Council in mid to late August. The Council's public hearing on the budget occurs in late September with approval in mid-October. Once approved the budget is submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance via the State's Gateway portal. The DLGF will then issue a final budget order.