Revised Criteria - Budget Process

Revised Criteria - Budget Process

Criteria includes both “primary questions” and “secondary questions.”  Primary questions are intended to apply to all (or almost all) governments and will be used to determine scores for completeness. Secondary questions are intended to provide additional guidance and options for communicating information.  Secondary questions may not apply to all governments and should only be included in budget communications if relevant to a particular targeted audience.  

Budget Questions

How is the budget developed?
  • What  is the process used to develop the budget? 
  • What are the relevant policies or regulations that guide the budget? 
  • What was communicated to internal stakeholders to prepare their budget requests? 

Who is involved in preparing the budget?
  • Does the government use volunteers or other external resources to help advise on budget decisions?  
  • Did the government create any teams or task forces specifically to prepare the budget?  
  • What is the role of the following in the budget process:  
  • - Finance/Budget Team 
  • - Department Staff 
  • - Executive Leaders 
  • - Elected Officials  
  • - Public 
  • Who is responsible for coordinating the budget process? 

How are community priorities considered?
  • How does the government collect information and determine community priorities? 
  • Who was solicited to provide feedback? 
  • How does the budget align with defined community priorities? 

When are budget decisions made?
  • When are tentative decisions made? 
  • When are decisions finalized? 

When can the public engage in the budget process?
  • What methods are used to collect feedback? 
  • What feedback was provided? 
  • What changes were made to the draft budget as a result of public feedback?

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