Top nine things we learned at Budget Workshop

We recently spent two fantastic days with 115 city leaders from across the state learning about key fiscal management and budget issues. We were pleased to spend time in beautiful Leavenworth with city, state, and community leaders, discussing strategies for building effective, sustainable city budgets and sharing solutions to the challenges cities face. Here is a mix of practical and inspiring takeaways from the workshop:

1. Tell your city’s story
   With 281 cities in Washington, there are 281 unique stories to tell. Whether you are working with residents, state elected officials, or vendors, it’s important to know and tell your city’s story. Your story helps people understand the ‘why’ of your community needs and the ‘why’ behind your city’s budget.
2. Recruitment opportunities are everywhere
   Recruiting and retaining employees is still a challenge for many cities. If your city is in a bind trying to find qualified employees, look for different opportunities. Need new law enforcement officers? Turn a traffic ticket into a chance to talk up how good your police department is. Need a grant writer? Check with your local non-profit to see if you can contract with one of their volunteers or employees. You never know when or where you might find your next star employee, so keep your eyes and ears open.
3. Federal funding presents unique opportunities
   If ARPA and the BIL aren’t enough to track, add the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to your list. The most recent federal legislation of benefit to cities, the IRA funds climate resilience and energy efficiency measures and includes a novel funding mechanism for cities. As always, these dollars take extra time and staff resources to pursue; do some preliminary research to determine if it’s the right path for your city to take.
4. Get creative with community engagement!
   There are many ways to engage your community in the budget process. Whether it’s chatting with a constituent in the grocery store line or hosting an online Zoom meeting, finding unique and accessible ways to receive feedback on your budget process is essential. Also, making your budget more approachable can increase buy-in and support from the community and city leaders.
5. Cities aren’t alone
   Your peers across the state are a great source of support. Take the time to call up fellow elected officials or city staff to ask questions, share concerns, or swap stories. Chances are they will broaden your perspective or connect you to a new and useful resource, and it will help you build a strong peer network. You won’t regret it.
6. Keep an eye on the State Auditor’s Office
   The State Auditor’s areas of emphasis include disbursements, credit cards, procurement, receipting, and cost allocation. Check out the Center for Government Innovation’s checklists and resources on these topics to make sure your internal controls are up to date.
7. Persistence and long-term planning pay off
   This is especially true of building capital projects. Be strategic by combining local, state, and federal resources and, when possible, multiple partners. If you plan to go to the ballot on a capital project, make sure you are aware of the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) do’s and don’ts for ballot measures.
8. Build your budget calendar
   A budget calendar is an essential tool for every city and ensures that you don’t miss key deadlines required by law. Check out MRSC's 2024 budget calendar for a place to start and build your city’s budget process backwards from the deadlines. Need some tips and tricks as you build your budget, check our MRSC’s Budget Suggestions guide.
9. Budgeting is a team sport
   Engage your elected officials, department heads, staff providing services, and your whole community to focus on shared priorities and goals. Cross-departmental cooperation is key to strategic planning and budgeting. It takes more time and effort upfront, but the payoff is worth it. Interested in learning more? Check out this short video on participatory budgeting.
10. Bonus: Adopt your budget by December 31
    In order to keep the lights on and carry on with everyday city services, make sure you adopt your final budget by December 31.