Presenters: James Bennett, City Manager, City of Biddeford; John Eldridge, Town Manager, Town of Brunswick

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for municipal officials with primary responsibility for budget preparation and management.  Others that are involved with the process, including budget review will also get some benefit from the class.

Course Information:

9:00 Introductions/Welcome

A quick overview of the program and a look at various roles and responsibilities in the municipal budgeting process.

9:15 Preparing a Basic Budget

This session will put financial information into a basic budget format. The discussion will include gross vs. net budgeting, appropriate line items, explanation of revenues and expenditures. The discussion will conclude by transferring the basic budget into warrant articles for Town Meeting.

11:45 Lunch

12:30 Budget Forecasts and Projections

This session will look at how to prepare for the budgeting process by looking at how to track revenue and expenditures, and forecast financial trends which will affect your budget.

1:30 Presenting Your Budget

A look at effective ways to present and explain the budget to municipal officials and citizens at Town Meeting.

2:30 Budget Controls

After your budget is prepared, a look at various ways to keep track of expenditures and revenues throughout the year and monitor problem areas.

3:00 Question and Answer Period

3:30 Adjourn

Certification:

This course applies to the Maine Town, City and County Management Association Certification Program as 5.75 credits in the Finance/Budget category

Cancellation Policy:

Notification of registration changes or cancellations must be received in writing. Cancellations received before 4/21/23 and registration changes (switching from in-person to virtual or vice versa) will be assessed a $15 administrative fee for processing. Cancellations received after 4/21/23 will be charged 50% of the course fee. Any cancellation received the day of the event will be charged the full registration fee.