Budgeting for Local Governments in the United States: Deciding Who Gets What, How Much, and Who Pays?

  • Ron Carlee

Abstract

Budgeting in U.S. local governments is about more than finance.  The annual operating budgets of cities and counties in the U.S. also serve as their most significant policy documents and their annual operating plans.  Local budgets determine who gets what services, how much they get, and who pays.            This article summarizes the role of local governments in the U.S., key principles in local government accounting, the evolution of different budget systems, decision making models, and budgeting strategies.

Author Biography

Ron Carlee
Ron Carlee is County Manager in Arlington, Virginia.  He was worked in local government since 1975.  He is an adjunct instructor at the George Washington University, where he has taught courses in budgeting and management in state and local government.  Mr. Carlee has a doctorate in Public Administration and is a Fellow in the National Academy for Public Administration.
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 3 (2008)
Section
Articles

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