Priority-based Budgeting

Priority-based Budgeting (PBB) is a process used by municipalities to establish their larger community values, and budget accordingly to those values, while providing flexibility in order to meet the changing needs of the community.  In utilizing the PBB approach for the 2011 budget process, the City of Boulder will develop a strategic budget that both reflects our community values and ensures that residents will continue to receive a high level of city services.  The first step in implementing PBB is to identify the city's goals or "results" which serve as high-level, overarching objectives for the city organization and are representative of the community priorities. “Results” should:

• Be clear, understandable and measurable;
• Reflect the objectives and priorities of council and the community;
• Accommodate potentially diverse views;
• Incorporate majority as well as minority opinions; and,
• Be definable.

Priority-based Budgeting will help the City of Boulder define its priority objectives and create a budget based on achieving those objectives.  Based on existing council goals, the following results have been identified:

• Accessible and connected community
• Economically vital community
• Healthy environment and community
• Inclusive and socially thriving community
• Safe community

Following the establishment of the city's results, two separate public meetings were held to inform the public about the new budgeting process and engage the community in identifying result definitions. Based on the feedback received at the public meetings, the draft result definitions have been revised.

The City would like your feedback on these “results.” Next steps will include prioritizing program based on these “results.”  It is important that all voices in the community are heard on the Priority-based Budgeting process. Before providing input, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the citywide results and their definitions. The results and their definitions were developed collaboratively between City Council, city staff and community members.

Priority-based Budgeting Survey

Please use the link below to provide input and comments about the "results" and the "result definitions."

Survey link here

Budget Savings Ideas

The City of Boulder plans to supplement the Priority-based Budgeting process by seeking opportunities to improve efficiencies throughout the organization.  The city adopted and implemented several employee and community cost savings recommendations from previous budget years, including reducing energy costs and centralizing administrative functions. Please use the link below to provide budget saving ideas for the city.  Your input and ideas will help the city maximize its limited resources.

Share Your Cost Savings Ideas

Additional Background Information:

Priority-based Budgeting video with Finance Director Bob Eichem

Results and Result Definitions

Materials from April 13, 2010 Study Session on Priority-based Budgeting

PowerPoint Presentation from March 18, and 22, 2010 Public Meetings

Jan. 19, 2010 Update to City Council on Priority-based Budgeting

Video from July 27 study session with council

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 October 2012 10:38