The Freeport Town Council will approve a final schedule for 2016 budget deliberations at its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The council was scheduled to pass a draft budget timeline this week at its meeting Tuesday, after the Tri-Town Weekly’s deadline.

Once Town Manager Peter Joseph transmits the five-year capital program on Feb. 26, it will be more than three months of hard work on the budgets for the Town Council.

“It’s a packed session from now until June,” said Chairwoman Melanie Sachs.

Last year, the council settled on a $9,844,732 operating budget for 2015. The council also passed a $2.4 million capital budget and a $247,000 tax-increment financing budget. The new spending added 10 cents to the tax rate.

The 2016 Freeport Town Council draft budget schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 26, town manager transmits five-year capital program to council.

Tuesday, March 3, town manager presents five-year capital program during council meeting; council sets public hearing for April 7.

Wednesday, March 16, operating budgets due to finance director.

Tuesday, March 17, council workshop on five-year capital program.

Tuesday, April 7, public hearing on capital program.

Tuesday, April 14, adoption of the five-year capital program.

Wednesday, April 15, operating budgets due to town manager.

Thursday, April 30, town manager transmits operating, capital and TIF budgets to council.

Tuesday, May 5, town manager presents operating, capital and TIF budgets.

Tuesday, May 5, council sets public hearing for June 2.

Wednesday, May 13, 5-6 p.m., department head public informal Q&A session.

Thursday, May 14, 7:30-8:30 a.m., department head public informal Q&A session.

Tuesday, May 19, council workshop on operating, capital, and TIF budgets.

Thursday, June 2, public hearing on operating, capital and TIF budgets.

Tuesday, June 7, target date for budget adoption: capital, TIF and operating budgets/appropriation vote.