Modernizing Budgeting: A Transformational Shift to Priority-Based Budgeting January 2026

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 percent