The meeting gives residents an opportunity to follow a council session while city budget work is underway. That includes people watching city spending, taxes and appropriations, although the meeting listing itself does not establish that any of those issues will be decided that night.

The city’s official agenda page identifies Ralston City Council and budget work-session agendas as public records. Residents can use that page to look for documents associated with the Aug. 18 session and review any materials posted before the meeting.

The calendar does not identify proposed budget figures, tax rates, appropriations or a specific vote for Aug. 18. It therefore does not establish that the council will adopt a budget, raise or lower taxes, or take another particular financial action. The next known step is the scheduled public meeting at City Hall on Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m.