Evaluate a local government’s budget. Material that should be used to evaluate a local government’s budget is posted down below. Final papers must be typed, and are not to exceed 10 double spaced pag
Group Project
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Evaluation
GFOA Distinguished Budget Award Paper Criteria
Your paper must use the format below.
The grading for this paper is based on your group’s ability (1) to correctly analyze the budget document, and (2) to include relevant literature from the class reading list to persuade the reader that the criteria in the evaluation are important for good budgeting. Do not write to fill pages, but write for effect. Your grade is inversely proportional to how long it takes me to read and understand your paper!
Note: This kind of writing is hard work. Don't wait until the last minute, and plan on several drafts before you submit your paper for a grade. There are several points in the syllabus to prompt you to draft major sections of the paper as we proceed through the course. Use these opportunities wisely and you will be in good shape at the end of the semester. The papers will be a maximum of 10 (ten) double-spaced pages, plus a cover page. Use 1” margins all around, 12-point font.
Paper Requirements:
Use the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award Criteria posted on Canvas as your reference for this project. Then evaluate each criterion based on the local government you selected to review. NOTE: You should make notes on each of the criteria so when you start writing the paper you can refer back to your notes to justify why you evaluated the criteria in a particular manner. This will also help you identify potential areas that need further review.
You are required to use the format outlined below for the Budget Analysis Paper.
Cover (Title) Page
City Name
GFOA Distinguished Budget Awards Review and Critique
Fall 2015
PAD 4223
Student Name
Date
Introduction
Keep this brief. Describe what the purpose of this review and critiques was and some background on the city whose budget you are analyzing.
ANALYSIS
This is the heart of your paper. Summarize your rating in each area with a cogent, concise argument. You need not discuss each criterion separately; only highlight the most important influences on your overall rating for the category. Be sure to provide justification for why you selected a particular score.
Policy Document
Financial Plan
Operations Guide
Communications Device
CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION(S)
This is a summation of your argument. In some cases, you may wish to make recommendations to the city about how to improve the budget you have analyzed. This will be no longer than 1-2 paragraphs.
