Operating Budget Process within theBudget Enterprise Application |
Revised: 09/14/2026 |
The Budget Enterprise Application is used by agencies to develop the biennial agency budget request based on the guidance document published by the Office of Budget and Management (OBM). OBM then uses the Budget Enterprise Application to develop budget recommendations and create the Governor's Executive Budget Recommendation known as the "Blue Book."
The Operating Budget process includes the following phases:
Ohio's operating budget spans a period of two years—a biennium—which begins on July 1 of odd-numbered years and ends 24 months later on June 30. Within a biennium are two separate fiscal years, each beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30.
The following table is an example of a biennium time frame and the expected stages during the fiscal years.
| September 15, 2026 | Operating Budget Guidance released |
| October 13, 2026 | Group 1 requests due - Licensing boards and commissions |
| October 23, 2026 | Group 2 requests due - Small to mid-size agencies |
| October 30, 2026 | Group 3 requests due – Cabinet agencies, executive agencies, Legislative, judicial, and statewide elected agencies |
| November 2026 - March 2027 | Office of Budget and Management reviews agency requests and works with the Governor’s Office to develop budget recommendations. |
| March 15, 2027 | Governor's Executive Budget (Blue Book) published |
| March 2027 - June 2027* | Budget Bills move through the legislative process. |
| July 1, 2027* | New Main Operating, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and Industrial Commission Budget Bills enacted. |
| * Dates are subject to change |