MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Budgets and Budgeting

Options to Reduce Personnel Expenses During Uncertain Budget Times

October 15, 2025 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Budgets and Budgeting , Termination and Retirement

What can a public employer do to cut costs when faced with an uncertain budget? While employee salaries and benefits make up a good portion of the budget, employers can implement a number of options, some of which preserve existing staff while also resulting in cost savings.

2026 Budget Suggestions Is Here!

July 30, 2025 by Eric Lowell
Category: MRSC News and Updates , Budgets and Budgeting

Do you need estimated state shared revenue for 2026? How about information on 2025 legislation impacting local government taxes? It's all available in Budget Suggestions, the tool that's been helping Washington local governments plan their budgets since 1943.

What’s on Your Agency’s Year-End Financial Checklist?

September 23, 2024 by Eric Lowell
Category: Budgets and Budgeting , Financial Reporting

With the end of the year on the horizon, many local government finance departments are considering what needs to be done to successfully close out the year, including deadlines met, reports filed, and budgets finalized.

A close up of a person reviewing financial data

Need a Crash Course in Government Finance? Our Finance Bootcamp Is What You've Been Waiting For

August 28, 2024 by Cheryl Grant
Category: MRSC News and Updates , Accounting , Budgets and Budgeting , Finance Policies , Financial Reporting

MRSC’s new Municipal Finance Bootcamp is a five-day crash course for professionals new to government finance. It covers topics like BARS, payroll, budgeting, and much more.

Budget Hearings: How Many Do You Need?

August 29, 2022 by MRSC Insight
Category: Budgets and Budgeting , Legislative Body

During budget season, many local government staff and elected officials often wonder how many public hearings are required to complete the budget process. The answer generally depends on type of government and the reason for the hearing.

Key Takeaways from the AWC Budget and Finance Management Workshop

September 4, 2019 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting , Financial Management

This blog covers some key financial management takeaways from the 2019 Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Budgeting and Financial Management Workshop.

Time To Set The Policy Framework For Your Next Budget

May 16, 2019 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Developing sound policy goals as a preface to budget planning is one of the most important ways an elected official can make a real difference in their community.

Trust: The Secret Ingredient in Your Budget Deliberations

November 8, 2018 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Can trust building be a part of a local government's budget process? In this post Finance Consultant Mike Bailey argues that trust is a critical component to creating a high-functioning team that can then make the best possible decisions in how to serve their constituents.

Having Great Budget Discussions

March 26, 2018 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

Budget discussions offer local governments the opportunity to identify concerns, priorities, and goals. It's also a great opportunity to get and provide updates on key issues, challenges, and accomplishments across the organization. Finance Advisor Mike Bailey offers suggestions on how to make your budget conversations work more efficiently.

Fiscal Feast or Famine: A Survival Guide

June 27, 2017 by Stan Finkelstein
Category: Guest Author , Budgets and Budgeting , Financial Management

What can local governments do to avoid the fiscal cliff? Advisor Stan Finkelstein argues that the best defense is to develop a multiyear forecast of anticipated resources and expenditures.

It’s Time to Sharpen those Budget Skills

July 7, 2016 by Mike Bailey
Category: Budgets and Budgeting

In a recent AWC survey, officials identified budgeting as their second most important area of interest after economic development. Let's explore the survey results and see how they align with the efforts of organizations like MRSC and AWC to help you create your best budget.

The Dynamics of Public Sector Budgeting - Who is the Constituency?

June 15, 2016 by Stan Finkelstein
Category: Guest Author , Budgets and Budgeting

This post attempts to broaden the budgetary discussion and encourage local officials to recognize the need to address the longer term needs of their jurisdictions when adopting budgets.

Does Your City have Too Many Funds?

April 14, 2016 by Randy Hinchliffe
Category: Guest Author , Budgets and Budgeting , Financial Management , Fund Balance and Reserves

Not too long ago, I read a short tidbit in one of the local newspapers about the adoption of a nearby city’s budget. I was struck by the fact that the city had 28 different funds in its budget. With so many funds to account for, it got me thinking about the criteria for establishing funds and when a city might have too many funds.

It’s Not Too Early to Think about Laying the Foundation for Your Next Budget

February 8, 2016 by Mike Bailey
Category: Guest Author , Budgets and Budgeting

If you want to have a great budget experience next fall (and who doesn't?), then it is never too early to think about how to lay the best foundation. Building a budget starts with a strong policy discussion and early policy guidance.

Budgeting During Periods of Economic Instability

December 4, 2015 by Stan Finkelstein
Category: Guest Author , Budgets and Budgeting

Many local governments have been significantly affected by the Great Recession and its aftermath, making it more difficult to address a variety of critical financial issues. This blog post provides seven rules of prudent fiscal management.