Remember, legislative bodies have the final say on your budget. They want to know they are getting something for their money. Make sure your budget accurately reflects the contribution your agency makes to the quality of life in your city or state. Find out who is the biggest contributor to the chairman of the committee that oversees your agency, or the largest employer in their district. Put their name on the front cover of your budget right above the name of your agency.
Budgets are public documents.
They must be understandable by the public. It is important for the non-technical public to be able to understand what their taxes are buying. Have your cousin Flow, the one with dyslexia, retype the entire document, starting with the last page and working backwards. Budgets give the hard and cold dollars and cents of what your agency will do in the coming year. Make sure it includes all the key points of your agency's legislative mandate, as well as your strategic plans and any court ordered actions.