THEODORE K. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1597

mayor may delegate, under his supervision, any of the
financial powers and duties granted him by this charter.
He shall receive any assistance he requests with regard to
financial matters from any city officer or employee.

EXPENDITURES TO BE AUTHORIZED BY BOARD
OF ALDERMEN

77. No public money may be expended without hav-
ing been appropriated by the board of aldermen.

FISCAL YEAR

78. The city shall operate on an annual budget. The
fiscal year of the city shall begin on the first day of Janu-
ary and shall end on the last day of December of each cal-
endar year. Such fiscal year shall also constitute the tax
year, the budget year, and the accounting year.

ESTIMATES

79. The mayor, on such date as the board of aldermen
may require, but at least thirty-two days before the be-
ginning of any fiscal year, shall submit to the board of
aldermen a budget and an explanatory budget message,
for that purpose, at such date as he shall determine, the
mayor, with the assistance of such city officers and em-
ployees as he requests, shall obtain from the head of each
office, department, and agency (a) estimates of revenue
and expenditures for the next fiscal year, detailed by or-
ganization units and character and object of expenditure;

(b) such other supporting data as he may request; and

(c) an estimate of all capital projects pending or which
such office, department, or agency head believes should
be undertaken (i) within the budget year and (ii) within
the five next succeeding years. In preparing the budget,
the mayor shall review the estimates, shall hold hearings
thereon with the head or other representative of the of-
fice, department, or agency concerned, and may revise the
estimates as he deems advisable.

BUDGET MESSAGE

80. The budget message submitted by the mayor to the
board of aldermen shall explain the budget, shall contain
an, outline of the proposed financial policies of the city for
the budget year, and shall describe the important features
of the budget plan. It shall set forth the reasons for salient
changes from the previous year in cost and revenue items
and shall explain any major changes in financial policy.