The Committee on Governmental Budgeting and Fiscal Policy.

• Author: Fishbien, John

GFOA's Committee on Governmental Budgeting and Fiscal Policy advises and guides GFOA best practices and recommendations on a range of topics related to the budget process, financial policies, and budget presentation. The Budget Committee also provides advice on broader financial management topics. The committee has 25 active members, two ex-officio members, five advisors, and two GFOA support staff members. The committee is chaired by Scott Huizenga, director, Office of Management and Budget for the City of San Antonio, Texas. Its vice-chair is Judith Marte, chief financial officer, Broward County School Board, Florida. Committee members have a diversity of experiences and organizations that provide a well-rounded perspective in developing guidance for GFOA members and beyond and makes for interesting discussion at the committee's twice-annual meetings.

Best Practices

The 35 best practices the committee has developed or been actively involved in are organized in four major categories: budget policies, budget process, budget document, and monitoring and performance management. These documents are meant to serve as checklists and practical advice that government professionals can use to evaluate current policies and processes.

The committee is working on a new best practice on budgetary control, being developed jointly with the Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting Committee. Some of the key items to be covered include: the intent of budget controls; primary methods for modifying budgets, including budget transfers and amendments; a system for implementing budgetary controls; the inclusion of budgetary controls in financial policies; position control mechanisms; how changes are requested...