Assignment task:
In this assignment, your objective is to conduct a thorough analysis and provide an overview of a local program's budget. You will aim to identify areas for adjustments to ensure essential services are maintained while realigning resources. It is crucial to equip stakeholders and decision-makers with the necessary information for well-informed decisions about budget management.
Preparation:
Research a local government entity, such as a local agency or public program, and examine their recent financial plans for use in this assignment.
Note: If information about your local level is unavailable, feel free to research a nearby city or community.
Instructions:
In a 4-5-page paper (plus a cover page and a source list page), please include the following:
Describe your chosen local government entity, including context, background information, and a link to the financial plan or documentation used for your budget analysis.
Title this section of your paper Introducing the Local Government Entity.
Evaluate the budget or financial plan of your chosen local government entity.
Title this section of your paper Local Entity Financial Plan.
Note: This could include the budget appropriation, the format of the budget, and any notable financial allocations or plans.
Identify a specific area for improvement in the budget of your selected local government entity, providing a rationale for why you believe this improvement is necessary.
Title this section of your paper Local Entity Budget Improvement.
Develop a budget improvement proposal aimed at addressing the area for improvement you identified.
Title this section of your paper Local Entity Budget Proposal.
Note: Your book is a great resource for writing this section of your paper. In Chapter 2, you'll find a clear outline of the five key components of a budget proposal.
Compare the federal, state, and local budget submission processes, examining similarities and differences and how those differences impact the submission processes.
Title this section of your paper Budget Submission Process Comparison.
Note: This section should focus on comparing the federal, state, and local budget processes directly, highlighting their differences and similarities, rather than detailing them separately.
In a Source List using proper SWS style, support your observations by citing at least four credible sources.
For more information on finding sources that are credible, visit Library FAQ: How do I know if information is credible?
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
Evaluate an existing budget and justify its recommendations.