Assignment task:
1. Review the following site: Dubuque Iowa Budget. Read the most recent budget documents.
2. As instructed, use the Balancing Act Budget Simulator on the City of Dubuque website above to make budget changes. Must make at least three significant changes to the spending in the city's operating budget. A significant change is a decrease or increase in spending of at least 5% of the total budget. All your changes must result in a balanced budget as required by law. Therefore, any increases in spending must be balanced by either cutting spending in other areas or increasing revenues by raising taxes, fees, charges, etc.
3. Make a two page reflection paper that addresses the following topics:
Rationale for Changes: Explain the reason you selected the changes that you did. For example, what problem were you trying to address, strategic goals were you trying to advance, purpose or goal did you have, etc. Explain why your proposals are ethical and are in the community/public interest.
Practical Impact: Explain the overall practical impact of all the changes you made. Who in the community would benefit from your changes, and who would be harmed (this could be income group, political party, neighborhood, ethnicity, profession, use of certain services, etc.)? How would the changes impact the accomplishment of the city's strategic plan?
Political Impact: If you were a member of the City Council and your changes were adopted, what would be the political impact? Who would be upset or angry about your changes, and how might that affect your political popularity and ability to get re-elected (this could be income group, political party, neighborhood, ethnicity, profession, use of certain services, etc.)? Who would be supportive of or happy about your changes, and what would be the impact on you politically?