Balancing Act FAQs

What is Balancing Act?

The Balancing Act tool allows you to share your priorities and adjust budgets for various departments and programs, so we can align our finite resources with the services that matter most to you. This helps all residents add their voices to the decision-making process, with direct insight into the tradeoffs that must be made considering the [City/County/Organization]’s revenues and expenses – in the same way that the [City/County/Organization] has to balance the budget each year before budget adoption. 

Why did [City/County/Organization Name] add this budget simulation tool?

We have prioritized finding new and innovative ways to include more people in the budgeting process, especially those who are not able to attend the local budget hearings. This tool allows residents to participate in the traditional budget process at their own pace, on their own schedule.

I’ve submitted my recommendations through the tool. What happens next?

[Customize based on your plans for next steps! Example: Our internal budget team will compile the submissions made through Balancing Act and will share them with other City departments and leadership, to help guide the budgeting process.]

What is a Taxpayer Receipt?

A Taxpayer receipt is a tool used to show residents what their tax dollars buy. The Taxpayer Receipt simulator shows how a resident’s estimated local sales and property taxes support budgeted services provided by [City/County/State Name]. Enter the required information into the sample taxpayer receipt to see an itemized receipt of how each tax dollar is allocated.