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The City Council —it adopts the budget ordinance in a public meeting. This is because the decision on which measures or projects to allocate funds to is one of the City Council’s traditional powers. Information on the City Council’s meeting dates and its composition can be accessed through the Council Information System.

It's a long process with many deadlines:

In May, the departments receive an initial draft of the operating budget and the capital expenditure program from the City Treasury. The departments’ objections to this draft are discussed during the budget negotiations, and an agreement is ultimately reached. The figures are discussed during the budget negotiations between the departments and the Finance Department. The result is the draft budget. This draft is presented to the City Council in a public meeting. This usually takes place during the September session. The draft for the year 2027 was presented at the City Council meeting on September 24, 2026 (SessionNet | Introduction of the 2027 Draft Budget).

Then the critical phase of budget deliberations begins. The political parties and groups within the City Council discuss the figures internally. In the committees, votes are taken on the motions submitted by the parties and the additional proposals from the administration regarding the draft. They may also submit further motions concerning the budget. Subsequent submissions may be made by the city departments. Advisory bodies, such as the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council or the Youth Parliament, may also submit motions regarding the budget, though only through the mayor.

The City Treasury compiles the approved motions and supplementary proposals in the fall and then drafts the budget ordinance. After approval by the City Council, it is submitted to the Government of Middle Franconia, the competent supervisory authority, for approval.

The 2027 budget is scheduled to be adopted at the City Council meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2027.

Here: 2027 Draft

For each fiscal year, which corresponds to the calendar year, the City of Erlangen—like all other municipalities—must adopt the budget ordinance. The budget ordinance is always valid for one year.

Once the city council has adopted the budget ordinance, it is submitted to the relevant legal supervisory authority. For the city of Erlangen, this is the Government of Middle Franconia in Ansbach. If the Government of Middle Franconia finds the figures plausible, it approves the financial package, including its components subject to approval.

If not, the City of Erlangen must make corrections. As long as approval has not been granted, the budget ordinance does not (yet) take effect. During this period (known as the “budget-free period”), the city may nevertheless make financial payments—specifically, if

• it is legally obligated to do so, for example because contracts have been concluded or a law provides for certain payments
• the payment is urgent for the continuation of necessary tasks.