Lesson 1Reading and interpreting budget documents: narratives, line-item detail, capital improvement plans, and financial statementsThis lesson teaches councilors to handle budget reports, specific items, development plans, and money records, spot main questions, and use simple words and pictures to share tough budget details with local people.
Budget narratives and executive summariesOrganization charts and program structuresLine‑item and object‑level detailCapital improvement plans and project listsFund statements and cash flow reportsPresenting budget data to the publicLesson 2Understanding and using fiscal notes and cost estimates for proposed amendmentsThis lesson demonstrates how to review money notes and cost guesses, question basic ideas, and compare choices, helping councilors grasp short- and long-term effects of suggested changes on daily operations, projects, and staff numbers.
Core elements of a fiscal noteDirect, indirect, and one‑time costsOperating vs capital and lifecycle impactsAssessing assumptions and data sourcesComparing alternative cost scenariosCommunicating fiscal impacts to the publicLesson 3Reserve policies, balanced budget rules, and fiscal sustainability indicatorsThis lesson covers reserve guidelines, balanced budget demands, and main signs of financial health, aiding councilors in assessing if a budget is strong, well-built, and ready to face economic lows or sudden crises.
Types and purposes of reserve fundsSetting and revising reserve targetsBalanced budget rules and exceptionsStructural balance vs one‑time fixesKey fiscal sustainability indicatorsUsing dashboards and trend analysisLesson 4Basics of municipal debt: types of debt, bond issues, and impact on operating budgetsThis lesson introduces town debt methods, how bonds are set up, and how loans influence daily budgets, credit scores, and future options, allowing councilors to judge debt-funded projects wisely.
Types of municipal debt instrumentsGeneral obligation vs revenue bondsDebt service schedules and coverageDebt limits, policies, and covenantsCredit ratings and borrowing costsEvaluating debt‑financed capital projectsLesson 5Major spending categories: public safety, public works, parks, housing, general government, debt serviceThis lesson examines key town spending fields and what drives them, helping councilors understand basic duties, flexible areas, and how shifts in one field can impact services, fairness, and future pledges.
Public safety staffing and equipmentPublic works, streets, and infrastructureParks, recreation, and cultural servicesHousing, homelessness, and human servicesGeneral government and administrationDebt service and fixed obligationsLesson 6Techniques for drafting and proposing budget amendments and motionsThis lesson explains how to write clear, legal budget changes and proposals, work with staff, gain colleague backing, and foresee money, legal, and work effects before items come to the council meeting.
Identifying issues and budget leversWorking with staff on amendment languageStructuring motions and amendment formatsEnsuring legal and charter complianceEstimating fiscal and service impactsBuilding coalitions and negotiating changesLesson 7Main local revenue sources: property taxes, sales taxes, fees, intergovernmental transfers, bonds, and grantsThis lesson discusses primary local income sources, their legal roots, ups and downs, and fairness effects, so councilors can follow income predictions, spread sources where feasible, and match decisions to community values and abilities.
Property tax structure and constraintsSales and use taxes and volatilityFees, charges, and cost recoveryIntergovernmental transfers and aidGrants, earmarks, and reporting dutiesVoter‑approved levies and bondsLesson 8Common budgetary constraints and trade-offs: restricted funds, accounting rules, and contingency planningThis lesson looks at legal and real limits on budget picks, like limited funds, money rules, and backup planning, and teaches councilors to handle balances while guarding main services and safety reserves.
Restricted, dedicated, and discretionary fundsFund accounting and legal complianceMaintenance of effort and mandatesDesigning contingencies and reservesPrioritizing cuts and service levelsScenario planning for fiscal shocksLesson 9Structure of a typical U.S. municipal budget: operating, capital, enterprise, and special fundsThis lesson describes the setup of a common U.S. town budget, separating daily, project, business, and special funds, and explaining how funds can or cannot shift between them under laws and guidelines.
Operating budget scope and limitsCapital budget and multi‑year planningEnterprise funds and rate‑payer modelsSpecial revenue and trust fundsInternal service and stabilization fundsRules for transfers between fundsLesson 10Budget cycle and timeline: preparation, hearings, adoption, amendments, mid-year reviewsThis lesson traces each step of the yearly budget process, from early staff estimates to final council approval and half-year tweaks, noting legal dates, public views, and the councilor's clear duties.
Pre‑budget forecasts and priority settingDepartment requests and city manager proposalPublic hearings and stakeholder engagementCouncil deliberations and amendment processAdoption, implementation, and monitoringMid‑year reviews and corrective actions
