This program uses interactive sessions to teach the process of implementing priority-based budgeting and applying the data to budget creation and decision making.

In 21st century local government organizations, program and priority-based budgeting are becoming more sought-after approaches.

In contrast to traditional budgeting models, priority-based budgets align resources and funding with community priorities and outcomes. This builds a data-rich budget organized in terms relevant to how residents experience local government services, creating transparency and a better understanding of where funds are used and how they align with what is important to the community.

Local governments have been clinging to the same incremental budgeting approaches for decades. In fact, the practice of line-item budgeting recently passed the 100-year mark. This type of budgeting creates a use-it-or-lose-it mentality and promotes across-the-board budget cuts that don’t consider factors other than a percentage, making it difficult to connect funding with strategic goals or performance metrics.

Learn more about Modernizing Budgeting: A Transformational Shift to Priority-Based Budgeting»

Course Schedule:

January 14, 2026

Module One: Building Greater Alignment with Priority-Based Budgeting Data
Module Two: Communication, Accountability, and Accessibility

January 21, 2026

Module Three: Resource Reallocation and Maximization
Module Four: Fueling Resources Toward the Results of the Future

January 28, 2026

Module Five: Leveraging All of Your Community’s Resources
Module Six: Let Data Lead the Way