Revised Criteria - Program / Services Budget

Revised Criteria - Program / Services Budget

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

What are major programs/services?
  • How is a program/service defined? 
  • Does the government identify core services vs. non-core services 
  • Which services are new? 
  • Which departments contribute to programs/services? 
  • Do programs have a defined purpose? 

What are costs for each major program/service?
  • How are costs for each program/service tracked? 
  • What is included in program/service cost? 
  • Are costs variable or fixed? 
  • What portion of program/service costs are related to personnel, contracted purchase, capital, etc.? 

What are program/service level goals?
  • How is service level measured? 
  • What options were considered when setting budgeted service level? 
  • Have service levels increased or decreased? 

How do programs/services align with priorities?
  • What other related programs or services target this priority? 
  • How is community impact measured? 

Do programs/services generate revenue?
  • How much of the program/service is subsidized by non-program/dedicated revenue? 
  • How are fees set for programs/services? (benchmark, cost recovery, other goal) 
  • What activity level is expected? 

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