Since 2005, Fort Collins has pursued a budgeting strategy based on the efficacy of funded programs rather than price. Final budget allocations are intended to reflect citizen priorities and to return the best results per dollar spent.
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Problems and Purpose
Fort Collins instituted its Budgeting for Outcomes program to better align public spending with citizen priorities and needs. According to the City, "[t]he old system [of budgeting] didn't work - the short term approach of spending down reserves, freezing employee wages, and not filling vacant positions is not sustainable; that approach only leads to mediocrity." Budgeting for Outcomes recognizes that funding is limited, the time of economic prosperity is largely over, and that public dollars should shift from "paying for costs to buying results."[1]
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Methods and Tools Used
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
Analysis and Lessons Learned
Fort Collins' unique budgeting system made it a finalist for the Cities of Service 2018 Engaged Cities Award. According to the Award Case Study, "[b]y providing different avenues for engagement that allowed residents to delve deeply into the process or quickly provide feedback, Fort Collins was able to reach more citizens and a broader range of community members." City officials continued to reflect on and improve the citizen participation experience, spending a significant time on education and outreach that ultimately proved effective: the number and diversity of participants has increased and, according to Annie Bierbower, the City's senior coordinator of public engagement, “we’re still just getting started.”[2]
See Also
References
[1] "Budgeting for Outcomes," City of Fort Collins, accessed July 7, 2019, https://www.fcgov.com/bfo/
[2] Cities of Service, Budgeting for Outcomes: 2018 Engaged Cities Award Case Study, accessed July 5, 2019, https://citiesofservice.org/resource/budgeting-for-outcomes-fort-collins/.