Lesson 1Reading and understanding budget papers: stories, line details, capital plans, and money reportsThis part teaches councilors to go through budget books, line items, capital plans, and financial reports, spot key questions, and use simple words and pictures to explain hard budget info to people in the community.
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, question ideas, and compare choices, so councilors can grasp short and long-term 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 judge if a budget is strong, well-built, and can handle economic hard times 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 town debt: kinds of debt, bond issues, and effect on daily budgetsThis part introduces town debt tools, how bonds are set up, and how borrowing affects daily budgets, credit scores, and long-term freedom, helping councilors 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 areas and what drives them, helping councilors understand basic duties, choice space, and how changes in one area can affect services, fairness, and long-term 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 details how to write clear, legal budget changes and motions, work with staff, and get support from colleagues, while thinking ahead about money, legal, and work effects before proposals 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 transfers, bonds, and grantsThis part covers main local money sources, their legal bases, ups and downs, and fairness effects, so councilors can understand money forecasts, mix sources where possible, 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: restricted funds, accounting rules, and backup planningThis part looks at legal and real limits on budget choices, including restricted funds, accounting rules, and backup planning, and shows how councilors can handle choices while protecting main services and 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 9Setup of a typical town budget: daily work, capital, business, and special fundsThis part explains the setup of a typical town budget, telling apart daily work, capital, business, and special funds, and making clear how money can and cannot move between funds under legal and 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 and time: preparation, hearings, adoption, changes, mid-year checksThis part walks through each step of the yearly budget cycle, from early staff guesses to final council adoption and mid-year fixes, pointing out legal deadlines, public 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
