Attached are my assignments for this week. Please follow instructions all the way through and give the best work you can. If there are any questions or you cannot open links or .pdf please let me know

MPA511

Read This Week

The Basics of Public Budgeting and Financial Management

• Chapter 4: Preparing a Capital Budget & Capital Improvement Plan, pg. 87-119

M4D1: Capital Budget & Improvement

The first module gave you an introduction to public budgeting from a practical standpoint as well as introduced you to some of the theoretical concepts that are associated with the practice. Although this information is very valuable, it is important to be aware of the human element that heavily influences the budgeting process. In this module, we will discuss the main actors that are associated with the budget process and how different groups can influence budget decisions and policy making. In addition, we will discuss the budget cycles and timeframes associated with budget development and how this relates to the larger budget “game.”

ASSIGNMENTS:

(SEE ATTCHED .PDF)

Let's engage in some dialogue. It's one thing to read about a topic. But, in order to learn, we need to think, write, and talk about the topic. We've combined the module notes with a discussion so that you may jot down your thoughts, insights, questions, etc. as you read.

Within the notes, you'll find guiding questions, articles, and videos to help spark the conversations. To earn maximum points, be sure to review the discussion guide and the discussion criteria links below.

• ArticlesThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: An Analysis of the Chicago Public Schools' Capital Improvement Plan (Links to an external site.)

• Metra Rail Operating Budget (Links to an external site.)

• Analysis: How Much Will the Center City Connector Streetcar Really Cost?  (Links to an external site.)

• State Capital Improvement Programs And Institutional Arrangements for Capital Budgeting: The Case of Illinois (Links to an external site.)

• Insurance Costs Continue to Plague School Districts (Links to an external site.)

• Allen County Looks to State for Funds for Juvenile Detention Center  (Links to an external site.)  

• Albuquerque Budget Deficit

In this module, you have been introduced to the Capital Budget and the Operating Budget. You understand that while there is a correlation, there can be an adverse relationship between the two; thus negatively impacting the operating budget. In this assignment, you explain the selection of the capital or operating budget for your final budget proposal. Define its impact on the overall budget, but also identify particular issues that are affected by the capital projects.

This activity requires you to submit a draft of the proposed capital and/or operating budget components contained in your proposal. Remember, you are building a proposal. Often times, there are parts of the budget that are available for consideration. Your department may have been given funding to support an activity or project.

Prepare a draft budget for either the capital and operating budget that will appear in your final budget proposal. Discuss any differences and similarities and their impact on the overall budget. Ensure to include the parts of each budget and thoroughly explore the purpose of each budget.

We explored the impact of costs on capital and operating budgets in addition to learning the differences between these two budgets. The next lesson asks for a deeper exploration of Capital Budgets through the development and analysis of Capital Improvement Plans.

In the role of budget manager for a local or state government or organization, you may have to consider large construction projects or programs that provide services to your community. Now think of how you would respond to a capital project that increases your budget expenses requiring a decrease in personnel costs. What would you do? Legislators and city officials often find themselves addressing questions like this and more. The challenge is addressing the concerns of each stakeholder group:

• The citizenry does not want improvement to the City Park but prefers to add those funds to sidewalk repairs.

• The Board/Executive Leadership want to invest in new location of offices which may lead to a reduction in staffing.

What do you do? How do you respond? Do you identify other stakeholders impacted by your decision?

Tell me what you think?