Polco News & Knowledge

5 Ways to Make Your Budget Easier to Understand

Written by Jim Schuett | July 21, 2025

In 2025, public trust isn’t just earned through transparency, it’s built through clarity.

 

TL;DR

  • Most residents struggle to make sense of government budgets.
  • Complex language, lack of context, and poor design create barriers.
  • A few key changes can dramatically improve public understanding.
  • Governments that demystify their budgets earn more trust, buy-in, and flexibility.

 

The Problem: Budget Clarity ≠ Budget Accuracy

You already publish your budget. You might even post summary slides or an open data portal. But if residents still don’t understand where the money goes, or why, it’s not working.

The truth is, clarity isn’t about simplifying the numbers. It’s about making them mean something to your community.

Here’s how to start:

 

1. Lead with Outcomes, Not Accounts

Residents don’t care about your fund codes. They care about what’s getting done.

Instead of: “FY25 Capital Improvement Allocation: $2.3M”

Try: “What We’re Building This Year: 6 Miles of New Trail + 3 Road Repair Projects”

Why it works: Framing by outcome connects dollars to lived experience. It builds understanding and support.

 

2. Use Visual Tools to Tell the Story

A single bar chart or interactive slider can communicate more than pages of line items. The best tools simplify trade-offs and let people explore budget scenarios for themselves.

Visuals to consider:

  • Interactive budget simulators
  • Infographics for high-level summaries
  • “Where Your Dollar Goes” charts
  • Before/after photos for capital projects

Why it works: People retain information better when it’s visual, not verbal.

 

3. Build in Context (Not Just Totals)

Numbers without context confuse people. Add comparisons, timeframes, and real-world anchors.

Instead of: “Parks and Rec Budget: $3.2M”

Try: “Spending $3.2M—about $47 per resident—to maintain 21 parks and run 240 programs this year.”

Why it works: Context turns abstract numbers into relatable, reasonable figures.

 

4. Make Trade-Offs Transparent

Budgets are full of tough choices. Let residents see the options—and weigh in.

How:

  • Use prioritization tools that ask residents to “build their own” budget
  • Publish summary scenarios that show what’s funded—and what’s not—at different levels
  • Highlight what’s changing from last year and why

Why it works: Trade-offs make budgeting real. They also help shift conversations from “why didn’t we fund X?” to “what would you have cut instead?”

 

5. Use Plain Language—Relentlessly

Government budgeting is dense by design. But that doesn’t mean the explanation has to be.

Replace: “Interfund transfers for operating subsidies”

With: “We moved funds from one department to another to keep services running.”

Why it works: Clear writing signals respect. It invites participation from more than just insiders.

 

The Payoff: Clarity Builds Trust

When residents understand your budget, they’re more likely to:

  • Show up constructively, not just critically.
  • Support initiatives—even big-ticket ones.
  • Trust your leadership when priorities shift.

 

Need Help Translating Your Budget?

Polco helps local governments bring their budgets to life with:

Because budgets shouldn’t just be read. They should be understood.

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