SKIP INSTRUCTIONS
Notes:
- Internet Explorer 6.0 is required to achieve full functionality of this application.
- The optimal screen resolution for "My Budget" is 1024 x 768 pixels.
- The popularity of this simulator results in periods of heavy usage. During these times, response time for "My Budget" may become slow. Please be patient or try again later.
► Budget Simulator Sections
There are 3 "tabbed" sections of "My Budget": My Budget, Choices & Consequences, and Report.
- My Budget: this section provides a summary of the tax rate, estimated tax bill (based on property value), and a budget funding summary. The beginning or default setting for "My Budget" is the County Manager's recommended budget.
- Choices & Consequences: the "hard hat area" of the budget. By considering the choices and consequences associated with funding decisions, the budget is constructed in this section.
- Report: view a summary of the budget you have built. The report information is formatted to fit spreadsheet columns with use of "copy" and "paste" commands. This is also the best way to print or save a copy for later reference.
top
Key terms and functions of "My Budget":
► Focus Areas, Program Categories, and Services
County services are organized within Focus Areas and Program Categories.
In the Choices & Consequences Section, choose a Focus Area and then a Program Category from the drop down menus. This displays the inner level of services provided by various county departments within the selected program category.
(Funding choices are not offered for the Program Categories of Greenway Planning and Land Quality since no County operational dollars are involved.)
top
► Board Priority
This column displays the priority level as determined by the Board of County Commissioners for each service.
top
► Service Name
Clicking on the service name will display a brief description.
top
► Manager's Funded
This column shows the funding level for each service in the County Manager's Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget recommendation to the Board.
top
► Manager's Unfunded
These are the existing services or new service requests that were not included in the Manager's recommended budget.
top
► My Budget
The Manager's recommended budget populates the My Budget column and serves as the starting point for development of your budget. This column will change as you make your budget choices.
top
► Change, Save, and Reset Buttons
As you review each service, you may choose to accept the Manager's recommended funding level, add unfunded services to the budget, eliminate the funding, or change the funding for services.
- Change - opens service row for editing
- Save - saves the changes you have made to a service row
- Cancel - cancels changes you have made to the service row
- Reset - allows you to revert back to the Manager's recommended funding level for that service.
top
|
► Choice Matrix
You will see service dollar amounts highlighted in red, blue, purple, and green. This color system is called the Choice Matrix, and provides the Board with a quick reminder as to whether the service and/or funding are mandated or discretionary.
Red
My Budget does not provide a choice to change service funding highlighted in red. The County is mandated to offer those services and at a very specific funding level. Your lack of choice in the "My Budget" is indicative of the lack of choice the Board has on some funding decisions.
Blue, Purple
Although blue and purple services involve some service or funding level mandate that can become quite complex, you have the opportunity to accept, change, or eliminate the service funding in "My Budget".
Green
Green services are completely discretionary.
top
► Calculations
As you make choices in "My Budget", the impact on the tax rate and your property tax bill will change along the way. The Property Value tool in the My Budget section allows you to input the tax value of your property to estimate the tax bill impact of your choices.
top
► Reset Buttons, Help, and Feedback
The choices can be difficult, so there are several Reset tools in "My Budget" in case you change your mind at various intervals.
Reset Focus Area - button at the bottom of the page will allow you to reset work within the current Focus Area without affecting changes you have made to other areas.
The Reset Entire Budget - clears all your changes in all areas of the budget. This allows you to start again from the beginning.
Help - brings you back to these instructions at any point from within "My Budget". Use your browser's "Back" button to return to the "My Budget" application
Feedback - we would like to know whether "My Budget" was useful and helped you understand the County budget process. Please click on feedback and share your thoughts and suggestions for improving this tool.
top
Go To "My Budget"
► IMPORTANT NOTICES
For Users of Personal Firewalls:
You may need to temporarily disable personal Firewalls such as ZoneAlarm in order to use this online application. Alternatively you will need to temporarily reset your firewall to allow transmission of personal header information. See the operating instructions for your particular firewall for details.
This application uses Session Cookies and Javascript:
If you experience problems accessing or using "My Budget" you will need to "allow session cookies" and "allow javascript".
Please Report Any Technical Problems HERE.
top
|
|
