Implementing those goals requires funding. That funding is specified in the local government budget. I would suggest that any resident that is interested in tracking fiscal responsiveness needs to start at the beginning. Is the budget consistent with the comprehensive plan? Are funds available to implement comprehensive plan? If not, why not?

The key element of any Master Plan is the capital improvements needed for its implementation. Therefore, a municipal budget should include the Capital Improvement Program, typically a five-year progression of spending. Each budget year should address the capital improvement spending within that program. Once again you need to “follow the money” to see that the appropriate funds have been allocated to pay for capital improvements – new municipal buildings, streets and roads, recreational facilities that are specified in the Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan.

Bottom line: are taxes paid to local government (Township/County) being spent in pan accountable manner. Are we getting what we’re paying for? And maybe more importantly are we getting what we planned for to build the desired future for our community?

Obviously, this discussion is somewhat superficial. Understanding the budgetary process has substantial depth to it. But you do have to break the surface before taking the deep dive into financial waters. Next step is understanding the vocabulary and legislative mandates. As one MSNBC talking head is prone to say – “we’ll talk on the other side.”