let’s balance – a budget simulation game

People Focused, Performance Driven. 1 of 10

Let’s Balance – A Budget Simulation Let’s Balance – A Budget Simulation GameGame

People Focused, Performance Driven.

Let’s Balance! Setting the Let’s Balance! Setting the StageStage

To meet State of Florida statutory guidelines you must adopt a balanced budget.


Let’s Balance! Setting the Let’s Balance! Setting the StageStage

The current year budget is $100 Revenues = $100; Expenses = $100 Expecting less revenue from property taxes ($2)

Start with $98 Anticipated expenditure increases $4

It will take $104 next year to open the doors next year with the same level of service as last year

Summary FY 14 Projected Revenues = $98 FY 14 Projected Expenditures = $104 Projected Shortfall = ($6)


Let’s Balance! ObjectiveLet’s Balance! ObjectiveTo balance a budget that funds services and specific priorities using a

combination of strategies (increasing revenues/expenditures, decreasing revenue/expenditures, and using Reserves) amid specific challenges.


• Roll Dice to Elect Chair• Rank Your Priorities/Fund Priority Project• Make a Motion to use Revenue, Expenditure, or

Reserves

Let’s Balance! Rules


• The Motion must receive a 2nd from another Commissioner

• The Commission has a max of 2 minutes to debate the Motion

• In order for the Motion to become a DECISION, there must be a MAJORITY vote

• If the Motion does not receive a MAJORITY vote, return the card to your deck

• In order to reconsider a approved DECISION, there must be a MAJORITY vote

Let’s Balance! Rules


Let’s Balance! Budget StrategyLet’s Balance! Budget Strategy

Options to consider when balancing the budget 26 different revenue and expenditure

scenarios – (cards) May use some reserves – penalties for

using too much


R1 - Increase Permitting & Inspection Fees (INCREASE $1)

R2 - Implement the Five-Cent Gas Tax (INCREASE $2)

R3 - Increase Ambulance Fees (INCREASE $1)

R4 - Re-Implement the Business Tax (INCREASE $1)

R5 - Implement a Fee To Use County Ball Fields (INCREASE $1)

R6 - Implement a Fee for Mosquito Control (INCREASE $1)

R7 - Increase Non-Ad Valorem Stormwater Fee (INCREASE $2)

R8 - Increase Non-Ad Valorem Solid Waste Fee (INCREASE $1)

R9 - Increase Probation Fees (INCREASE $1)

R10 - Non-Ad Valorem Assessments (DECREASE $1)

R11 - Reduce Permitting & Inspection Fees (DECREASE $1)

R12 - Reduce Property Taxes (DECREASE $1)

R13 - Levy the Rolled-Back Rate (INCREASE $2)

Let’s Balance! Revenues


R5 – Implement a Fee to Use County Ball Fields (Increase $1)

Let’s Balance! RevenuesLet’s Balance! Revenues


R11 – Reduce Permitting & Inspection Fees (Decrease $1)

Let’s Balance! RevenuesLet’s Balance! Revenues


E1 – Eliminate Weekend Hours at the Main Library (Decrease $1)

E2 - Eliminate the Mosquito Control Program (Decrease $2)

E3 – Reduce Road Repair & Maintenance Services (Decrease $1)

E4 – Reduce Constitutionals Funding (Decrease $1)

E5 – Reduce Funding for Tharpe St. Widening Project (Decrease $1)

E6 – Reduce Outside Agency Funding (Decrease $1)

E7 – Reduce Passive Park and Active Field Access (Decrease $1)

E8 – Reduce Primary Healthcare Funding by 50% (Decrease $1)

E9 – Reduce Hours at the Rural Waste Service Center (Decrease $1)

E10 – Reduce Capital Funding for Intersection Improvements (Decrease $1)

E11 – Increase Business Incentives (Increase $1)

E12 – Increase Primary Healthcare Funding (Increase $1)

E13 – Increase Hours at Branch Libraries (Increase $1)

Let’s Balance! Expenditures


E7 – Reduce Passive Park & Active Field Access (Decrease $1)

Let’s Balance! ExpendituresLet’s Balance! Expenditures


•Each Commission will begin the game with the Policy maximum, $20.•The Adopted Policy minimum is $15. (Dipping below the minimum will affect your overall score.)

•Example: Motion to use $2 in Reserves

Let’s Balance! ReservesLet’s Balance! Reserves


• There is NO debate on Challenges! They HAVE to be funded.

Due to fluctuations in the economy, the County’s fuel, oil, and utility costs continue to increase. A $1 increase must be contemplated in the budget to cover these costs.

Let’s Balance! ChallengesLet’s Balance! Challenges


• An automatic $1 savings in EXPENDITURES for eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse • May be used anytime during the game, at the Chair’s discretion•NO vote required to use the Free Card

Let’s Balance! Free CardLet’s Balance! Free Card


Each Commission can earn a maximum of 3 points!

• Balance The Budget – plus 1 point• Fund Your Priority – plus 1 point• Reserves (one of the following will apply):

o Maintain policy minimum of at least $15 – plus 1 point

o Maintain reserves at $14 – 0 pointso Maintain reserves $10 to $13 – minus 1 pointo Maintain reserves $9 or less – minus 2 points

Let’s Balance! Point System


Let’s Balance! Point SystemLet’s Balance! Point System

let’s balance – a budget simulation game

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