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.

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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)

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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.

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

Reserves

Let’s Balance! Rules

People Focused, Performance Driven.

• 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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

Let’s Balance! RevenuesLet’s Balance! Revenues

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

Let’s Balance! RevenuesLet’s Balance! Revenues

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

Let’s Balance! ExpendituresLet’s Balance! Expenditures

People Focused, Performance Driven.

•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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

• 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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

• 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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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

People Focused, Performance Driven.

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