Term paper:

The Term Paper should be about five (5) to eight (8) pages in length, double spaced, and analyze a proposed or adopted annual budget for a local government (or a department or agency thereof). Suggested types of public organization that would qualify for this assignment are listed below:

a. Town Government

b. City Government

c. Councils of Government

d. Regional Planning Agencies

e. Special Districts (e.g., Fire, Health, Sewer, Water, Airport, Transits, etc.)

f. Public School Systems

g. Other local government organization, department, or agencies (with advanced approval of the instructor)

The suggested format for the Term Paper should be as follows:

a. An introduction to the local government, department, or agency selected.

b. A review of its budgetary process.

c. A description of its operating and capital budgets.

d. An overview of its operating and capital expenses.

e. An overview of its revenue sources.

f. Shortcomings of the budget development, approval, and implementation process

g. Recommendations on ways to improve upon the budget document being examined, including its preparation, approval, implementation and audit, processes, based upon what you have read and learned in this course.