ICMA offers a better way to budget
Need help ironing out the details of next year’s budget? The Washington-based International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has a new book that could help. “A Budgeting Guide for Local Government” has just been released in its second edition ($53 ICMA member price, $63 non-members). The completely revised text by Robert Bland, professor and chair of the Department of Public Administration at the University of North Texas, includes chapters on preparing and approving the budget, managing budget deliberations, implementing the budget and using the budget to improve performance. It also includes an introduction to capital budgeting and to the link between budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. A complimentary CD-ROM ($16.95) includes exercises and review questions on strategies and concepts in the book. Available at www.icma.org.