The Village of Sussex prepares a budget annually, which is the financial plan for the Village to achieve the goals established by the Village Board. The majority of governmental operations are accounted for in the General Fund. In addition, there are separate budgets for each of the utilities (Water, Sewer and Stormwater), the Community Development Authority, the Debt Service Fund, and the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Fund. The annual tax levy is determined based on the General Fund, Debt Service Fund, and TIF Fund needs.

Each summer, department heads prepare budgets for the following calendar year. The Village Administrator proposes a budget to the Village Board at the beginning of September. The Village Board then holds several budget workshops to review the budget and other requests not included in the proposal to determine if any of them should be added to the budget.

In late November a Public Hearing is held to present the final budget. The Village Board adopts the budget and sets the tax levy which will provide the funding for the following year’s operations.