Assignment task:
Reply to this: The ability to balance fidelity and flexibility is important for budget management. Fidelity throughout the budget process calls for maintaining adherence to the original budgetary goals and legal limits, which is vital to ensuring accountability and transparency within fiscal management. This helps in building public trust in the government while also minimizing the threat of misuse of public funds. On the other hand, flexibility allows for adjustments to be made as a response to unforeseen situations, which include economic shifts, some kind of natural disaster, or shifts in public need or opinion. The ability to remain flexible ensures that the budget remains effective and relevant in meeting its intended goals to serve the county. Striking a balance between fidelity and flexibility is necessary to react to changing conditions while also being able to maintain public trust in fiscal management (Rubin, 2019). Schick (1990) highlights the need for a responsive budget process. A process that accommodates change while also not sacrificing accountability. He argued for a well-designed budget, one that incorporates the ability to achieve both flexibility and control. On the other hand, Wildavsky (1986) believes that the budgetary process is inherently political. He argues that compromise and negotiation are crucial between political parties in the reconciliation of interests and priorities. This process between various elected officials, interest groups, and stake