Personal services include wages, salaries and benefits for employees.Basic definitionsĪll department expenses for Kansas City, Missouri, Jackson County, Johnson County and the Wyandotte County Unified Government break down into five categories using similar terminology: personal services, contractual services, capital outlay, debt service and commodities. The introductory letter for Johnson County’s budget highlights seven new positions in the sheriff’s office and concerns with inflation in construction costs. The Wyandotte County Unified Government and Johnson County Commission have introductory letters – much like executive summaries – that convey similar messages. “And that’s the first place to look because that gives you an overall impression of whether it’s a good year or bad year, and what the challenges are going to be in that budget.”įor example, last year’s transmittal letter for the Kansas City budget highlighted an increase in sales tax revenue and flagged a few new expenses, such as $250,000 for tree planting and $2.5 million for KC’s Right to Counsel program for tenants. “That will explain both what the budget is and how much it is, and any changes from the previous year,” said Collins, who now serves as the vice president of Collins Noteis & Associates, a firm that assists in urban planning and government projects. The transmittal letter appears at the opening of the budget document, providing a short, easy-to-read summary of notable changes from the previous year, addressed to the city council. If he had only a few minutes to review a 700-page budget, former Kansas City Manager Robert Collins said he would start by reading the transmittal letter. The introductory letter usually offers a quick summary Public hearings are coming up this week for Jackson County and next month for Kansas City, Missouri, and officials are looking for public input into whether the budget’s priorities align with the people they represent. You can use what you learn to speak up at government meetings. In this guide, you’ll learn where to look first to get a quick overview of the budget’s key points, as well as some of the key terminology that will help you understand what it means. The budget outlines how much money the city or county plans to spend in every department, and it’s reported in what are typically lengthy 600-to-1,000 page documents.īut don’t be discouraged by the length of the budget document. Official budget documents offer a peek into what elected officials are prioritizing. For more information about this legislation, visit iga.in.gov.Do you wonder whether your local government is prioritizing the things that are important to you, like policing, affordable housing, walkability or public health? House Bill 1002 now heads to the Indiana Senate for further consideration. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) said this legislation would also allow post-secondary scholarships, such as the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship, to be used for training provided by intermediaries, employers, or a labor organization. It would also task the State Board of Education with re-examining high school diploma requirements in order to provide more flexibility in student schedules so they can pursue apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, work-based learning, and credentials. It could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. The Indiana Department of Education would approve available courses and tracks, and accounts would be awarded $5,000 under the recently proposed House Republican budget. Under the legislation, Career Scholarship Accounts could be used by sophomores, juniors, and seniors to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms to remove barriers to accessing these experiences. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn post-secondary credentials. Michelle Davis (R-Whiteland), who co-authored the bill, said House Bill 1002 would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications, and internships. INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana House of Representatives recently advanced legislation supported by Johnson County legislators that would expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
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