In this assignment, your objective is to conduct a thorough analysis and provide an overview of a local program's budget. You will aim to identify areas for adjustments to ensure essential services are maintained while realigning resources. It is crucial to equip stakeholders and decision-makers with the necessary information for well-informed decisions about budget management.

Preparation

Research a local government entity, such as a local agency or public program, and examine their recent financial plans for use in this assignment.

Note: If information about your local level is unavailable, feel free to research a nearby city or community.

Instructions

In a 4-5-page paper (plus a cover page and a source list page), please include the following:

1. Describe your chosen local government entity, including context, background information, and a link to the financial plan or documentation used for your budget analysis.
   • Title this section of your paper Introducing the Local Government Entity.
2. Evaluate the budget or financial plan of your chosen local government entity.
   • Title this section of your paper Local Entity Financial Plan.
   • Note: This could include the budget appropriation, the format of the budget, and any notable financial allocations or plans.
3. Identify a specific area for improvement in the budget of your selected local government entity, providing a rationale for why you believe this improvement is necessary.
   • Title this section of your paper Local Entity Budget Improvement.
4. Develop a budget improvement proposal aimed at addressing the area for improvement you identified.
   • Title this section of your paper Local Entity Budget Proposal.
   • Note: Your book is a great resource for writing this section of your paper. In Chapter 2, you’ll find a clear outline of the five key components of a budget proposal.
5. Compare the federal, state, and local budget submission processes, examining similarities and differences and how those differences impact the submission processes.
   • Title this section of your paper Budget Submission Process Comparison.
   • Note: This section should focus on comparing the federal, state, and local budget processes directly, highlighting their differences and similarities, rather than detailing them separately.
6. In a Source List using proper SWS style, support your observations by citing at least four credible sources.

For more information on finding sources that are credible, visit Library FAQ: How do I know if information is credible?

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Evaluate an existing budget and justify its recommendations.