Program Lengths: One-half day, one day and two day modules

Target Group: This program is for members of elected bodies who evaluate budgets and provide financial oversight.

Description: This program provides elected officials with strategies and techniques to increase their proficiency and comfort level in dealing with financial oversight responsibilities.

Topics include:

• Avoiding the seven most common oversight errors
• Identifying the ten most important fiscal warning signs
• Overcoming resistance to setting elected body goals
• Developing and enforcing effective fiscal policies
• Establishing the appropriate fund balance level
• Why micromanagement is counterproductive
• Implementing oversight before problems develop
• Establishing staff fiscal accountability
• Holding your auditor accountable
• Identifying and discouraging common budget games

Resources: Participants use “Local Government Dollars & Sense: 225 Financial Tips for Guarding the Public Checkbook” as a workshop resource. Books are provided at a discount to sponsoring agencies.