Key takeaways
- Of the 51 jurisdictions here with a confirmed fiscal year start, 30 start on July 1, 14 on October 1 and 5 on January 1.
- Budgets are usually proposed two to four months before the fiscal year starts and adopted shortly before it, which makes the months before the proposal the best time to influence what gets funded.
- Texas and Florida cities and counties mostly use October 1 fiscal years; many large cities elsewhere use July 1; several counties and Chicago use the calendar year.
- Each listing links to the jurisdiction's official budget page or document, checked November 1, 2026.
Fiscal year starts at a glance
Among the jurisdictions in this list with a confirmed fiscal year start:
| Fiscal year starts | Jurisdictions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 | 30 | 59% |
| October 1 | 14 | 27% |
| January 1 | 5 | 10% |
| May 1 | 1 | 2% |
| December 1 | 1 | 2% |
Some starts are inferred from an official document's stated fiscal year end (for example, a budget "for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027"); those are marked "inferred".
Budget calendars by city and county
The 50 largest US cities and 50 largest counties by population, minus a few for which we couldn't confirm dates from official sources. Dates in parentheses are from the most recent budget cycle and show when each step actually happened. Filter or search by name, state or month.
Showing all 91 jurisdictions
| City or county | Fiscal year starts | Budget proposed | Budget adopted |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York CityNY · City · population rank #1 | July 1 | Preliminary budget each January; Executive Budget in April | Before July 1 (Council and Mayor negotiate May–June) |
| Los AngelesCA · City · population rank #2 | July 1 | April 20 (Mayor's proposed budget transmitted to Council under Charter Sec. 312; FY2026-27 report dated April 20, 2026) | Late May; Council must return modified budget to Mayor by June 1 (Charter Sec. 313). FY2026-27 adopted May 26, 2026 |
| ChicagoIL · City · population rank #3 | January 1 | On or before October 15 | By December 31 |
| HoustonTX · City · population rank #4 | July 1 | May (FY2027 proposed budget released May 5, 2026) | June (FY2027 passed June 10, 2026) |
| PhoenixAZ · City · population rank #5 | July 1 | Trial budget reviewed at community hearings (Mar 30–Apr 16, 2026); City Manager's proposed budget presented to Council May 5, 2026 | May (Council vote scheduled May 19, 2026) |
| PhiladelphiaPA · City · population rank #6 | July 1 | March (FY2027 budget address March 12, 2026) | June (FY2027 final passage June 11, 2026) |
| San AntonioTX · City · population rank #7 | October 1 | August (FY2027 proposed budget presented August 13, 2026) | September (FY2027 adoption scheduled September 17, 2026) |
| San DiegoCA · City · population rank #8 | July 1 | April 15 per City Charter (FY2027 released April 15, 2026) | June (FY2027 approved June 9, 2026; appropriation ordinance June 23, 2026) |
| DallasTX · City · population rank #9 | October 1 | August (FY2026-27 proposed biennial budget released August 7, 2026) | September (approval announced September 16, 2026) |
| Fort WorthTX · City · population rank #10 | — | August (FY2027 recommended budget presented August 11, 2026) | September (FY2027 adopted September 15, 2026) |
| JacksonvilleFL · City · population rank #11 | — | July (FY2026-27 proposed budget presented July 20, 2026) | — |
| AustinTX · City · population rank #12 | October 1 | July (FY2026-27 proposed budget released July 16, 2026) | Mid-August (FY2026-27 adoption scheduled August 12–14, 2026) |
| CharlotteNC · City · population rank #14 | July 1 | May (City Manager's FY2027 proposed budget presentation May 4, 2026) | June (FY2027 adoption announced June 8, 2026) |
| ColumbusOH · City · population rank #15 | — | On or before November 15 | Typically late January or early February |
| IndianapolisIN · City · population rank #16 | — | August (Mayor introduces budget to City-County Council; FY2027 budget introduced mid-August 2026 coverage) | October of the preceding fiscal year |
| San FranciscoCA · City · population rank #17 | July 1 (inferred) | By June 1 (Mayor submits full proposed budget to Board of Supervisors; selected departments by May 1 in even years) | July (Board of Supervisors finalizes; Mayor signs) |
| SeattleWA · City · population rank #18 | — | Late September (Mayor submits proposed budget and CIP to Council) | Late November |
| Nashville-DavidsonTN · City · population rank #20 | July 1 | By May 1 (Metro Charter) | By end of June; operating budget takes effect automatically July 1 if Council takes no action |
| Oklahoma CityOK · City · population rank #21 | July 1 | Late April (FY2027 proposed budget presented to Council April 28, 2026) | Early June (FY2027 adopted at Tuesday Council meeting, announced June 2, 2026) |
| WashingtonDC · City · population rank #22 | October 1 (inferred) | Spring (FY2027 Local Budget Act introduced to Council April 14, 2026) | — |
| El PasoTX · City · population rank #23 | — | Late May (FY2027 preliminary budget presented May 27, 2026) | August (FY2027 budget public hearing/adoption at special Council meeting Aug. 17, 2026; adoption announced Aug. 18, 2026) |
| Las VegasNV · City · population rank #24 | July 1 | Tentative budget presented to Council April 1, 2026 (after March workshop) | May (final budget hearing May 20, 2026); approved final budget filed with State by June 1 per Nevada law |
| BostonMA · City · population rank #25 | July 1 | On or before 2nd Wednesday in April (FY2027 filed April 8, 2026) | Council acts by 2nd Wednesday in June (June 10, 2026); Mayor returned June 17; finalized by June 30 |
| DetroitMI · City · population rank #26 | July 1 | March (Mayor presented FY2027 recommended budget March 9, 2026) | April (Council adopted FY2027 budget April 7, 2026) |
| Louisville/Jefferson CountyKY · City · population rank #27 | — | Late April (Mayor's Budget Address to Metro Council April 23, 2026) | June (Metro Council budget vote scheduled June 25, 2026) |
| PortlandOR · City · population rank #28 | July 1 | — | June (FY2026-27 adopted June 18, 2026) |
| MemphisTN · City · population rank #29 | — | Late April (Mayor presented FY2027 budget April 21, 2026 reports) | June (Mayor's official newsletter of June 26, 2026: 'This week, we adopted the FY27 budget'; Council budget hearings May 11–June 3) |
| BaltimoreMD · City · population rank #30 | July 1 | April (Preliminary budget released and introduced to Board of Estimates; FY2027 announced April 1, 2026); Board of Estimates submits Ordinance of Estimates to Council after May hearings | June (Council review in June; Mayor signed FY2027 budget June 25, 2026) |
| AlbuquerqueNM · City · population rank #32 | — | April 1 (FY2027 proposed budget document dated April 1, 2026) | May (Council approved amended FY2027 budget May 18, 2026) |
| FresnoCA · City · population rank #33 | — | — | June (FY2027 budget resolution 2026-159 adopted June 23, 2026; effective June 26, 2026) |
| TucsonAZ · City · population rank #34 | July 1 | April (City Manager's FY2026/27 Recommended Budget submitted April 21, 2026) | Tentative adoption May 19, 2026; final adoption June 9, 2026 |
| SacramentoCA · City · population rank #35 | July 1 | Late April (FY2026/27 proposed budget released April 29, 2026) | June (FY2026/27 adopted June 9, 2026) |
| AtlantaGA · City · population rank #36 | — | Early May (Mayor presented Proposed FY2027 Budget; press release May 4, 2026) | June (FY2027 approved mid-June 2026 reports) |
| Kansas CityMO · City · population rank #37 | May 1 | February (FY2026-27 submitted to Council February 12, 2026) | Late March (Ordinance 260205 adopted March 26, 2026) |
| MesaAZ · City · population rank #38 | July 1 | — | Early June (FY2025/26 adopted June 2, 2025); City Manager submits budget, Council sets tentative budget, then final adoption |
| RaleighNC · City · population rank #39 | July 1 | — | — |
| Colorado SpringsCO · City · population rank #40 | — | Early October (preliminary 2027 budget reported Oct. 5, 2026) | November (ordinance with two readings; 2024 budget readings Nov. 14 and Nov. 28) |
| MiamiFL · City · population rank #41 | — | — | September (two public budget hearings; first FY2026-27 hearing Sept. 10, 2026) |
| Virginia BeachVA · City · population rank #43 | July 1 | Late March (City Manager presented FY2026-27 proposed budget March 24, 2026) | May (FY2026-27 adopted May 12, 2026) |
| OaklandCA · City · population rank #45 | July 1 | May (Mayor's proposed budget expected May 1; 2025-27 released May 5, 2025); mid-cycle amendments proposed in the second spring | By June 30 |
| MinneapolisMN · City · population rank #46 | — | August (Mayor's 2027 Recommended Budget; Council took it up Aug. 13, 2026) | December (2027 adoption vote scheduled Dec. 15, 2026, after Truth in Taxation hearing; must be adopted before year-end) |
| TulsaOK · City · population rank #48 | July 1 | Late April (Mayor's FY27 proposed budget dated April 22, 2026) | June (FY2026-27 approved June 17, 2026) |
| TampaFL · City · population rank #49 | — | — | September (FY2027 second/final public budget hearing Sept. 22, 2026); Council budget workshops in August |
| AuroraCO · City · population rank #50 | — | City Manager's Proposed Budget presented to Council; Council budget workshop in September or October | By December (City Charter requires adoption each year by December) |
| Los Angeles CountyCA · County · population rank #1 | — | April (Board declared FY2026-27 Recommended Budget April 14, 2026); public hearing May 6, 2026 | Late June (FY2026-27 adopted budget resolution dated June 22, 2026) |
| Cook CountyIL · County · population rank #2 | December 1 | Preliminary Budget Forecast by June 30; President's Executive Budget Recommendation to Committee on Finance in October | October–November (Annual Appropriation Bill takes effect December 1) |
| Harris CountyTX · County · population rank #3 | October 1 | August–September (FY27 proposed budget; certified values not available until end of August) | September (FY2027 final vote set for Sept. 17, 2026) |
| Maricopa CountyAZ · County · population rank #4 | — | May (tentative FY2027 budget approved May 18, 2026) | June (final FY2027 budget vote June 22, 2026) |
| San Diego CountyCA · County · population rank #5 | — | May (CAO Recommended Budget released May 1, 2026); public hearing June 1, 2026 | June (Board deliberations and adoption June 23, 2026) |
| Orange CountyCA · County · population rank #6 | — | May (FY2026-27 Recommended Budget transmittal letter dated May 20, 2026) | June (Board tentatively approved June 9; final FY2026-27 budget adopted unanimously at June 23, 2026 Board meeting) |
| Miami-Dade CountyFL · County · population rank #7 | October 1 | By July 15 (Proposed Budget to Board of County Commissioners per County Code); Mayor's budget address in March sets priorities | September (two public hearings set by state law; adopted at close of second hearing) |
| Dallas CountyTX · County · population rank #8 | October 1 | Early August (FY2027 proposed budget presented August 4, 2026) | August (FY2027 adopted August 11, 2026, with tax rate) |
| Kings CountyNY · County · population rank #9 · budget set by New York City | July 1 | Preliminary budget each January; Executive Budget in April (NYC) | Before July 1 (NYC) |
| Riverside CountyCA · County · population rank #10 | — | Early June (FY2026/27 Recommended Budget released June 2, 2026); budget hearings June 8, 2026 | Late June (adopted June 23, 2026) |
| Clark CountyNV · County · population rank #11 | July 1 (inferred) | — | — |
| Queens CountyNY · County · population rank #12 · budget set by New York City | July 1 | Preliminary budget each January; Executive Budget in April (NYC) | Before July 1 (NYC) |
| King CountyWA · County · population rank #13 | January 1 | September (Executive transmits proposed budget to Council) | October–November |
| Tarrant CountyTX · County · population rank #14 | October 1 | August (FY27 budget hearing / recommended budget, August 2026) | — |
| San Bernardino CountyCA · County · population rank #15 | — | Late May (2026-27 Recommended Budget released May 21, 2026) | June (adopted at June 9, 2026 Board hearing) |
| Bexar CountyTX · County · population rank #16 | — | FY2026-27 Proposed Budget presented in summer 2026 (exact date not confirmed) | September (FY2026-27 public hearing and adoption vote Sept. 15, 2026) |
| Broward CountyFL · County · population rank #17 | October 1 | Mid-July (County Administrator's FY27 recommended budget message dated July 15, 2026); Board workshops May–June and August | September (two public hearings) |
| Santa Clara CountyCA · County · population rank #18 | July 1 | County Executive proposes Recommended Budget ahead of June hearings (specific FY2026-27 release date not confirmed) | June (Board adopts at conclusion of June public budget hearings) |
| Wayne CountyMI · County · population rank #19 | October 1 | Summer (County Executive's proposals; Commission budget hearings held during the month before adoption) | Late September (FY2025-26 budget approved Sept. 30, 2025) |
| New York CountyNY · County · population rank #21 · budget set by New York City | July 1 | Preliminary budget each January; Executive Budget in April (NYC) | Before July 1 (NYC) |
| Alameda CountyCA · County · population rank #22 | July 1 (inferred) | May (FY2026-27 proposed budget presented May 28, 2026) | June (public hearing began June 18, 2026; Final Budget adopted by resolution at close of hearing, letter dated June 25, 2026) |
| Sacramento CountyCA · County · population rank #23 | — | June (FY2026-27 Recommended Budget hearings June 10-12, 2026) | September (Revised Recommended Budget hearings Sept. 8-11, 2026, with Adopted Budget resolutions) |
| Palm Beach CountyFL · County · population rank #24 | — | June–July (budget workshop June 9, 2026; July 7, 2026 BCC sets proposed millage for Property Appraiser) | September (1st public hearing Sept. 3, 2026; 2nd/final public hearing Sept. 15, 2026) |
| Philadelphia CountyPA · County · population rank #25 · budget set by the City of Philadelphia | July 1 | March (FY2027 budget address March 12, 2026) | June (FY2027 final passage June 11, 2026) |
| Hillsborough CountyFL · County · population rank #26 | — | Mid-July (FY26 Recommended Budget delivered July 16, 2025; FY27 page not opened) | September (FY26 public hearings Sept. 4 and Sept. 18, 2025) |
| Suffolk CountyNY · County · population rank #27 | January 1 | September (County Executive presented 2026 Recommended Operating Budget Sept. 19, 2025; deadlines set by County Charter) | Early November (Legislature adopts 'early enough in November' for town tax bills; taxes levied by Dec. 1) |
| Orange CountyFL · County · population rank #28 | October 1 | July (BCC budget work sessions July 15–16, 2026; tentative budget and millage approved July 16) | September (final public hearings Sept. 10 and Sept. 24, 2026) |
| Bronx CountyNY · County · population rank #29 · budget set by New York City | July 1 | Preliminary budget each January; Executive Budget in April (NYC) | Before July 1 (NYC) |
| Nassau CountyNY · County · population rank #30 | January 1 (inferred) | — | — |
| Travis CountyTX · County · population rank #31 | October 1 (inferred) | Summer (FY2027 Preliminary Budget posted ahead of Aug. 12, 2026 public hearing) | — |
| Franklin CountyOH · County · population rank #32 | — | Recommended Budget presented to Board of Commissioners (residents guide places presentation in budget cycle; exact month unclear) | December (Board adopts Approved Budget; placement per residents guide calendar) |
| Collin CountyTX · County · population rank #33 | October 1 | — | September (FY2026-27 budget approved Sept. 14, 2026) |
| Oakland CountyMI · County · population rank #34 | October 1 | July (County Executive's recommended FY2027–FY2029 triennial budget presented July 16, 2026) | September (Board vote scheduled Sept. 17, 2026; budget hearings Aug. 4–13) |
| Hennepin CountyMN · County · population rank #35 | — | September (County Administrator presents proposed budget; Board sets maximum levy) | December (final levy set at Truth in Taxation meeting; 2027 public budget meeting Dec. 1, 2026) |
| Wake CountyNC · County · population rank #36 | July 1 | May (FY27 Recommended Budget dated May 11, 2026) | June (Board voted June 1, 2026 to adopt) |
| Mecklenburg CountyNC · County · population rank #37 | July 1 | May (County Manager recommended FY2027 budget May 14, 2026) | June (Board adopted June 2, 2026) |
| Cuyahoga CountyOH · County · population rank #38 | — | Fall of prior year (2026-2027 biennial budget hearings/committee presentations Nov.–Dec. 2025) | — |
| Contra Costa CountyCA · County · population rank #41 | — | April (FY2026-27 Recommended Budget hearings April 27–28, 2026) | May (adoption scheduled May 19, 2026) |
| Fairfax CountyVA · County · population rank #42 | July 1 | February (FY2027 Advertised Budget Plan presented Feb. 17, 2026) | May (FY2027 budget adopted May 5, 2026) |
| Fulton CountyGA · County · population rank #43 | — | — | January–February (FY2026 budget approval announced Feb. 17, 2026) |
| Pima CountyAZ · County · population rank #44 | July 1 | Spring (County Administrator's Recommended Budget; tentative budget adopted in May) | June (final FY2027 budget adopted June 23, 2026) |
| Montgomery CountyMD · County · population rank #45 | July 1 | March (County Executive's FY27 Recommended Operating Budget presentation dated March 13, 2026) | May (Council approved FY27 Operating Budget May 21, 2026) |
| Denton CountyTX · County · population rank #46 | — | Summer (FY2027 Recommended Budget summary/presentation posted ahead of hearing) | — |
| Duval CountyFL · County · population rank #47 · budget set by the City of Jacksonville | — | July (FY2026-27 proposed budget presented July 20, 2026) | — |
| Fresno CountyCA · County · population rank #48 | — | Late August (FY2024-25 Recommended Budget published Aug. 30, 2024; prior cycle) | September (FY2024-25 budget hearings opened Sept. 16, 2024; prior cycle) |
| Gwinnett CountyGA · County · population rank #49 | — | November (Chairwoman's proposed 2027 budget presented to Board in November) | First Board meeting in January (required by County ordinance) |
| Westchester CountyNY · County · population rank #50 | January 1 | By November 10 per County Charter (County Executive may submit earlier) | By December 27 (Board of Legislators; additions by first Monday in December) |
How to time outreach to a local budget cycle
- Six to nine months before the fiscal year: departments build budget requests. This is when a program owner can still ask for funding for your solution.
- The proposal: the mayor, county executive or manager releases the proposed budget. Read it for funded projects, new positions and planned purchases.
- Hearings and adoption: council or board hearings show priorities and last-minute changes. Adoption confirms what's funded.
- After the fiscal year starts: funded projects move to procurement. Watch for bids, cooperative purchases and council approvals.
See our guide to government buying signals for what to look for in budget documents, and the grant deadlines calendar for outside funding.
About this data
We selected the 50 largest cities and 50 largest counties using Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2025), then checked each jurisdiction's official budget office, finance department, adopted budget or charter. Some jurisdictions are left out: Middlesex County, Massachusetts has no county government (it was abolished in 1997), and for Denver, Long Beach, San Jose, Bakersfield, Milwaukee, Omaha, Allegheny County and Salt Lake County we couldn't confirm dates from official sources this time. The four New York City boroughs, Philadelphia County and Duval County share their city's budget. A few rows use the prior budget cycle where the current one wasn't published yet; their dates say so.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group times outreach to each agency's budget cycle. Our SDRs reach program owners while budget requests are being built, follow budgets through adoption and book meetings for your sales team when funded projects move toward purchase. See our market intelligence work.
Sources
- Official city and county budget pages and documents, linked in the table
- US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 population estimates: census.gov