Finance Department

Typically, the Finance Department begins planning the budget for the following year in August. Any known changes from the current year to the next year are discussed with the Mayor and Department Heads. Department Heads are asked to input their requested budget items into the General Ledger (GL) software. Human Resources inputs all payroll-related expenses. The first draft is reviewed and refined. Each year, by law, the General Fund must be balanced, meaning revenues equal expenses. 

In the State of Arkansas, the State typically receives the highest percentage of your tax dollars (6.5%). Then, depending on where you live, the next highest is either the County or City in which you live (or the business is located). Deliveries are taxed on the receipt address. Saline County currently assesses no sales tax. The City of Bryant has a 3% sales tax rate, which goes to pay for Bryant's Police, Fire, Animal Control, Parks, Streets, Planning, and Administration. 

Yes, and it is encouraged. We will have a minimum of two public meetings during the budget season (August to December) each year and the public is encouraged to come and participate. It is the citizens' budget and they should be involved as much as possible. 

Residents pay property taxes and sales tax to the City of Bryant. 

In Arkansas, property tax is assessed by local county assessors based on 20% of the property's appraised market value. This assessed value is then multiplied by local millage rates (set by school districts, cities, and counties) to determine the tax bill. Taxes are paid a year in arrears, with payments usually due by October 15th to the County Collector. 

3.2 

There are a lot of relatively small other sources like fees and permits, but another big funding source is Franchise Fees assessed on utility providers for the City's right-of-way (ROW) to provide their services like internet, cable, energy, gas, etc. 

January 1 to December 1. 

It can vary significantly from year-to-year depending on if a large project like Bryant Parkway is under construction or not. Please see the 2026 Budget on our website for the current years' information. 

Department Heads suggest a funding priority initially in the budget process, then they are discussed with the Mayor and Council. During the Budget Season, citizen input is encouraged as well. 

A variety of ways including savings, bond issuances, short-term funding via Amendment 78, grants, etc. 

A bond is like your car payment or house loan. The City borrows a large sum of money upfront to complete a large project and then pays it back with interest over typically the next 30 years. 

The City website houses all current and prior year budgets going back more than a decade.

Yes, every year the City completes an extensive audit with a private firm, which is then presented and reviewed by the State's Legislative Audit Team. Additionally, any federal dollars used by the City are subject to audits by the federal government if they so choose. 

We received what is called a "clean" audit opinion, meaning no significant issues were identified. 

The budget process is our biggest and best control feature. but after that, all expenses (non-payroll) require a purchase order be made and approved by multiple management roles. 

• Finance@cityofbryant.com
• (501) 943-0318
• Via Mail 210 SW 3rd Street Bryant, AR 72022

• We are open 8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday - Friday

• Vendors must complete a W9 form and mail it to our accounts payable department.

• The City advertises all bids through the City of Bryant Website along with any newspaper requirements, depending on the contract.
• You can sign up for all bid notifications via the Notify Me button on the main screen of the city website.

Any question concerning the solicitation should be directed, in writing, to the person whose name and contact information is listed in the solicitation. Correspondence must include the solicitation number and reference the specific section in question. No verbal response or interpretation that constitutes a material change to the solicitation is binding, unless it is issued as a written addendum to the solicitation.

• Vendor should ensure that the PO number provided by the City is clearly indicated on the invoice.
• Make sure shipment was sent to the correct address. They should note carefully the "Deliver To" address on the Purchase Order. The order number should be included on the outside of the package.
• The vendor should send an invoice for the complete order, not a partial one, and do this only after the full order has been received or the deliverables have been accepted. In general, the City does not pay partial invoices without prior arrangements being made. Invoices sent too early may become difficult to locate once the shipment arrives or the deliverables are met. Send the invoice to the correct address and include a City contact person if specified on the PO or in the contract. Include the correct PO number or Contract Number on the invoice. The City needs that identifying number to match shipments or services with the procurement documents.
• All City expenditures require an Approved PO number to be listed on the invoice. Our PO numbers start with the current year followed by six digits (e.g., 2025000000). Invoices without a PO listed will have their payment delayed.

Items will not be paid off of emails. All invoices need to be addressed to AP 210 SW 3rd Street Bryant, AR 72022. If a different arrangement is made with an individual department then please email this arrangement to the Finance Director at finance@cityofbryant.com and carbon the Department Head with whom you made the alternative arrangement.

The City pays net thirty terms and per state statute as a city does not have to adhere or pay late charges based on any earlier terms stated on invoices. However, we try to process checks weekly on Thursdays and mail those checks the next day, Friday. If AP has an approved PO, the invoice has that PO number listed on it, that PO has been "Received" by the Department in our system then we do not hold the invoices until thirty days have passed. It will be processed then.