Final answer:
The yearly budget process for most Texas cities likely begins in the months prior to the federal government's budget deadlines, with the aim of aligning with the state's fiscal year calendar and larger budget categories such as health care and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most Texas cities begin the yearly budget process by reviewing their financial situation and priorities. This happens at different times based on the city. Given that the federal budget is supposed to be submitted by February 1st and the fiscal year begins on October 1st, Texas cities likely start their preliminary budget preparations in the months leading up to these federal milestones, aiming to have their budgets ready in accordance with the state's timeline.
In the federal process, the budget is initially crafted by the President and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and then submitted to Congress. Congressional committees, with the assistance of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), then review the budget, setting ceilings through budget resolutions around May. Subsequently, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees work on the appropriations bills over the summer.
While the federal process is well-defined, local processes like those of Texas cities may vary, typically beginning their processes to align with their own fiscal year obligations and in consideration of their largest categories of spending, which for Texas, include health care and education.