Sunday, April 15, 2012

Inspiring Profile on Priority Based Budgeting in Monterey - Process Sustains through Second Year

http://strongcitiesstrongstate.com/success/monterey/priority-based-budgeting


Using a mathematical model developed by consultants with the Center for Priority-based budgeting, the priorities given to specific City programs were considered by executives and the City Council during budget deliberations in the context of this $500 exercise. The results helped inform operating decisions about service reductions as the budget took shape in the spring. The Monterey City Council adopted a balanced 2011-2012 budget and closed a $5 million gap between expenses and revenues with public support and a more informed citizenry.
The success of the program encouraged the City to continue its commitment to priority-based budgeting. During the current fiscal year, the program focuses internally as departments analyze their programs, staffing and costs. Next year, the City will once again reach out to its citizens for feedback through a comprehensive community survey. Ultimately, the City hopes its new approach to budgeting will monitor the performance of individual programs; help set fees more accurately, and assist in decision-making about where to invest and / or withdraw City resources.
Priority-Based Budgeting
    The City of Monterey benefits from its tourism-based economy. Transient Occupancy Tax and Sales Tax provide 36% of the General Fund Budget. When tourism lagged during the recent economic downturn, the City took an innovative approach to developing its budget.
    Demands for service expanded at a time when resources were declining. So the City decided to check in with its citizens and ask them to help develop priorities. This priority-based approach to budgeting incorporated input gathered from citizens at 16 public meetings and on city’s website. Hundreds of people participated in the process by allocating a hypothetical $500 towards a series of strategic goals previously established by the City Council. Using a mathematical model developed by consultants with the Center for Priority-based budgeting, the priorities given to specific City programs were considered by executives and the City Council during budget deliberations in the context of this $500 exercise. The results helped inform operating decisions about service reductions as the budget took shape in the spring. The Monterey City Council adopted a balanced 2011-2012 budget and closed a $5 million gap between expenses and revenues with public support and a more informed citizenry.
    The success of the program encouraged the City to continue its commitment to priority-based budgeting. During the current fiscal year, the program focuses internally as departments analyze their programs, staffing and costs. Next year, the City will once again reach out to its citizens for feedback through a comprehensive community survey. Ultimately, the City hopes its new approach to budgeting will monitor the performance of individual programs; help set fees more accurately, and assist in decision-making about where to invest and / or withdraw City resources.

    Saturday, April 7, 2012

    Citizens Decide Priorities in New City Budget Process


    http://ijpc-cincinnati.org/events/citizens-decide-priorities-new-city-budget-process-2
    Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center Encourages Citizen Participation in Cincinnati - IJPC educates and advocates for peace, challenges unjust local, national, and global systems, and promotes the creation of a non-violent society.


    “After the past several years of wrangling over the City’s priorities, we are taking a different approach,” said City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. “City Council has asked us to go to the citizens in a systematic way to gather input on what is most important to them.  That’s what we will use to build the budget for the next two years. That is why public participation is critical.” 

    Tuesday, April 3, 2012

    City of Cincinnati Underway with Most Extensive Citizen Engagement Process Ever Associated with Priority Based Budgeting

    http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/pages/-45389-/
    Our thanks to The Novak Consulting Group for partnering with us on this incredible project for the City of Cincinnati!

    Priority-Driven Budgeting
    Your City. Your Priorities. Your Voice.

    What Is Priority-Driven Budgeting?

    Priority-driven budgeting puts citizens at the center of the budget decision-making process.

    Through priority-driven budgeting, you tell government about what kind of community you want. Then, government programs are scored against your priorities to better match spending with your wants and needs.

    Priority-driven budgeting helps the City of Cincinnati government to answer these questions:
    • What are we in "business" to do?
    • What exactly do we do?
    • How do we figure out what is "core" or what is of the highest importance?
    • How do we know we are successful?
    • How do we ask better questions that lead to better decisions about what we do and why we do it?

    Monday, April 2, 2012

    City of Wheat Ridge Continues Making Strides in Priority Based Budgeting Process

    http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/archives/87/Study%20Session%20Agenda%20Packet%204-02-12.pdf

    In 2011 , City staff learned about the Center for Priority Based Budgeting, located in Denver,
    through an Alliance for Innovation workshop. The Center is made up of Chris Fabian and Jon
    Johnson, both of whom have worked in municipal finance for a number of years and helped
    develop the Priority Based Budgeting model while working together for Jefferson County. The
    Center's mission is to "lead communities to fiscal health and wellness." In order to accomplish
    this mission Chris and Jon work with communities to align their budgeting process with the
    overall strategic goals of the organization.

    Council approved funding in the 2012 budget to engage the Center for Priority Based Budgeting
    to facilitate the City's transition to a priority-driven budgeting process. The City's current
    approach to budgeting is the traditional incremental model - each annual budget is created based
    on the expenditure pattern from the previous year. Priority Based Budgeting will help the City
    of Wheat Ridge take the budget to the next level by allowing City Council and staff to allocate
    the City's limited resources in a strategic manner to meet the goals and objectives of the
    community.