The Final Project for this course bridges the gap between theory and practice in public budgeting and financial management by focusing on what professionals and administrators actually do in the field. To this end, your task is to analyze an actual budget, offering insight, analysis, and recommendations about the chosen agency. Your first task is to find a public budget to analyze. It is suggested you focus on a city/county department, a small municipality/township, a school district, a special district (such as a forest preserve district, stadium district, or water district), a community college, a small public university, or a single state agency. Be sure not to choose a budget that is too large to analyze in one written exercise. Most budgets are readily available on the institution’s website or by contacting the budgeting/finance department. Many local libraries will also have these documents. In your analysis, you should address the following items/questions:
· Offer a brief overview of your chosen agency. What are its primary functions and roles in the community?
· What are the primary expenditures for your chosen agency?
· How do these expenditures determine public policy priorities? · Has the agency’s budget increased or decreased since last year? What does this indicate about the success of the agency and its ability to deliver services?
· Is the agency allocating resources wisely?
· What recommendations would you offer, in terms of resource allocation, for the agency in the future?
The entire budgetary analysis should be 8 to 10 pages in length and should be submitted in Unit VIII. The Final Project must incorporate no fewer than five (5) peer-reviewed journal articles to bolster your analysis of the budget. You should be able to apply the theories learned in class to your case. The project must conform to APA format, and all sources must be properly cited and referenced. This “budget analysis” is detailed extensively in Units IV and VIII.
Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Section Points Description Does Not Meet Expectations (79 pts. & below) Meets Expectations (80 to 89 pts.) Exceeds Expectations (90 to 100 pts.) Agency Description and Overview 10 This section should be approximately two (2) pages. Describe the purpose, structure, and functioning of your chosen public organization. Information could include: mission, services, number of employees, brief history, etc. Analysis of Expenditures 30 This section should be approximately four (4) to five (5) pages. Describe how the agency allocates its resources. What are the primary expenditures? How, specifically, do these expenditures determine public policy priorities and governmental strategies? Recommendations 20 This section should be approximately MBA 6841, Public Budgeting 5 Section Points Description Does Not Meet Expectations (79 pts. & below) Meets Expectations (80 to 89 pts.) Exceeds Expectations (90 to 100 pts.) two (2) to three (3) pages. Is the agency allocating its resources and funds wisely in your opinion? What changes should be made? Should priorities be shifted? If so, how? What recommendations would you offer for the future? Conclusion 10 This section should be approximately one (1) page. Offer some concluding remarks about the future of the organization based upon your assessment and recommendations. Overall Paper Structure and Presentation 30 The paper should be eight (8) to ten (10) pages in length. The paper must conform to APA format, including proper citations, references, structure, and style. As such, it must include a Title Page, Abstract, and References page, in addition to the four (4) other required sections. ALL borrowed, cited, and paraphrased material must be properly documented. The paper must also flow well from section to section and possess minimal spelling, syntax, or grammar errors. The paper must utilize a minimum of five (5) peerreviewed, academic journal articles to support your points, arguments, and assertions.