* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
A Request for Constructive Change - Budgeting for Outcomes
FOR the purpose of requesting the Director of Finance to present to the Mayor and City Council a proposal to redefine the budget process in Baltimore City as a system of outcome-based budgeting that accurately reflects the priorities of the City residents whose tax dollars pay for City services.
Body
Recitals
The American City and County magazine reports that there is a new money game in town – budgeting for outcomes – that has helped several local and state governments reduce deficits, use revenue more effectively, and increase taxpayer confidence. The method that first defines what the governments want to accomplish and then distributes available funds based on those priorities is being used in state government in Iowa, Michigan, South Carolina, Washington, and in local governments in Fort Collins, Colorado, Snohomish County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon.
Experts believe that the fact that some residents believe governments are not spending money wisely may be a direct result of that fact that governments have historically budgeted based on costs. Rather that calculating service costs, governments using outcome-based budgeting determine the price residents are willing to pay for government services.
When governments budget for outcomes...
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