Table of Contents

Exhibits Preface Acknowledgments 1 How to Read a Government Budget Why You Need to Understand Your Government Budget How this chapter will be useful Objectives Reading and Understanding the Budget Three types of budgets Three types of funds Elements of a budget document Exercise: Reading the Annual Budget Document Notes 2 Coping With the Budget Process Preparing the Budget How this chapter will be useful Objectives The Budget Process The phases of the budget cycle The formal system Agency needs: Building budgets rationally External impacts on agency budgets Exercise: Mastering the Budget Process Step one: Homework Step two: Role Play

About the Author

Susan Riley, MPA, is Budget Supervisor for Volusia County, Florida, and an adjunct faculty member of both Daytona Beach Community College and University of Central Florida. Peter Colby, Ph.D., is Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program, University of Central Florida.

Reviews

"Easy to read. Well organized. Most important, it's geared to the practitioner - especially those working in smaller-size governmental units or those students who want jobs in the public sector." - Paul Green, Governors State University "This book is logical and thorough, and a 'kinder gentler...' approach to the subject. I like the approach and the execution." - Daniel M. Barber, Professor, Center for Public Policy, California State University-Long Beach