To Budget, or Not to Budget...for Vacancy Savings

Conference Registration

When it comes to personnel budgeting, few topics generate as much debate as how to approach budgeting for vacant positions. Should you budget the salary or wage on the low end or high end of the pay scale? Should you budget assuming the position will be filled for the entire budget period? Should you assume that some positions will become vacant through attrition during the budget period? While there's not a singular right answer to any of these questions, there are benefits and risks associated with the different approaches.

At this session, panelists will discuss the pros and cons of the various methods for budgeting vacant positions so you can determine the best one for your organization.

Learning Objectives

  • Define turnover, attrition, and vacancy savings as they relate to personnel budgeting.

  • Describe the ways local governments budget for vacant positions.

  • Summarize the benefits and risks associated with different approaches to budgeting for vacant positions.