Lesson 1Reading an Interpreting Budget Documents: Narratives, Line-Item Details, Capital Improvement Plans, an Financial StatementsDis section train councilors fi navigate budget books, line items, capital plans, an financial statements, spot key questions, an use simple language explanations an visuals fi communicate complex budget info to residents in an easy way.
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 an Using Fiscal Notes an Cost Estimates fi Proposed AmendmentsDis section show how fi read fiscal notes an cost estimates, question assumptions, an compare options, so councilors can understand short- an long-term impacts of proposed amendments on operating, capital, an staffing 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 Policies, Balanced Budget Rules, an Fiscal Sustainability IndicatorsDis section explain reserve policies, balanced budget requirements, an key fiscal health indicators, helping councilors judge if a budget strong, structurally sound, an able fi withstand economic downturns or emergencies.
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, an Impact on Operating BudgetsDis section introduce municipal debt tools, how bonds structure, an how borrowing affect operating budgets, credit ratings, an long-term flexibility, enabling councilors fi evaluate proposed debt-financed projects responsibly.
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 ServiceDis section review major municipal spending areas an dem drivers, helping councilors understand baseline obligations, discretionary space, an how changes in one category can affect services, equity, an long-term commitments.
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 fi Drafting an Proposing Budget Amendments an MotionsDis section detail how fi draft clear, lawful budget amendments an motions, coordinate wid staff, an build support among colleagues, while anticipating fiscal, legal, an operational impacts before proposals reach the council floor.
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, an GrantsDis section cover main local revenue sources, dem legal bases, volatility, an equity impacts, so councilors can understand revenue forecasts, diversify revenue where possible, an align choices wid community values an capacity.
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 an Trade-Offs: Restricted Funds, Accounting Rules, an Contingency PlanningDis section examine legal an practical limits on budget choices, including restricted funds, accounting rules, an contingency planning, an show how councilors can manage trade-offs while protecting core services an risk 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, an Special FundsDis section explain the structure of a typical U.S. municipal budget, distinguishing operating, capital, enterprise, an special funds, an clarifying how money can an cannot be moved between funds under legal an policy rules.
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 an Timeline: Preparation, Hearings, Adoption, Amendments, Mid-Year ReviewsDis section walk through each phase of the annual budget cycle, from early staff forecasts to final council adoption an mid-year adjustments, highlighting legal deadlines, public input points, an the councilor’s specific responsibilities.
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
