Lesson 1Reading and understanding budget papers: stories, item details, capital plans, and money reportsThis part teaches councilors to go through budget books, item lists, capital plans, and money reports, spot main questions, and use simple words and pictures to share hard budget info with people living there.
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 money notes and cost guesses for suggested changesThis part shows how to read money notes and cost guesses, ask about plans, and compare choices, so councilors can see short- and long-time effects of suggested changes on daily work, capital, and staff levels.
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 rules, balanced budget laws, and money health signsThis part explains reserve rules, balanced budget needs, and key money health signs, helping councilors decide if a budget is strong, well-built, and can handle hard times or sudden problems.
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 town debt: kinds of debt, bond sales, and effect on daily budgetsThis part brings in town debt tools, how bonds are made, and how borrowing hits daily budgets, credit scores, and long-time options, so councilors can check suggested 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 5Main spending areas: public safety, public works, parks, housing, general government, debt paymentThis part looks at main town spending spots and what drives them, helping councilors understand base duties, free space, and how changes in one area can touch services, fairness, and long-time promises.
Public safety staffing and equipmentPublic works, streets, and infrastructureParks, recreation, and cultural servicesHousing, homelessness, and human servicesGeneral government and administrationDebt service and fixed obligationsLesson 6Ways to write and suggest budget changes and motionsThis part tells how to write clear, legal budget changes and motions, work with staff, and get support from workmates, while thinking about money, legal, and work effects before ideas reach the council.
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 money sources: property taxes, sales taxes, fees, government shares, bonds, and grantsThis part covers main local money sources, their legal roots, ups and downs, and fairness effects, so councilors can understand money guesses, mix sources where they can, and match choices with community values and ability.
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 budget limits and choices: limited funds, accounting rules, and backup planningThis part looks at legal and real limits on budget choices, like limited funds, accounting rules, and backup planning, and shows how councilors can handle choices while keeping main services and risk savings safe.
Restricted, dedicated, and discretionary fundsFund accounting and legal complianceMaintenance of effort and mandatesDesigning contingencies and reservesPrioritizing cuts and service levelsScenario planning for fiscal shocksLesson 9Setup of a usual town budget: daily, capital, business, and special fundsThis part explains the setup of a usual town budget, telling daily, capital, business, and special funds apart, and making clear how money can and cannot move between funds under legal and rule guides.
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 time line: getting ready, meetings, passing, changes, half-year checksThis part goes through each step of the yearly budget cycle, from early staff guesses to final council passing and half-year fixes, pointing out legal end times, people input spots, and the councilor's exact 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
