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Workshop to teach how to navigate public budgets
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
AMES — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer a hands-on virtual workshop, Public Budgeting for Non-Finance Public Officials and Professionals, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration is $25. The session qualifies for continuing education credits for members of the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association.
“Budgeting is where visions turn into choices,” said Biswa Das, associate professor in the Department of Community and Regional Planning and community development specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
“When more people across planning, economic development and other departments understand the mechanics of a city or county budget, collaboration improves and conversations with residents become clearer.”
The workshop is designed for city and county planners, community development practitioners, economic development staff, and other local government professionals. Participants will learn how to read budget basics, connect planning and community priorities with fiscal decisions, identify key drivers of revenue and spending and use the budgeting process as an opportunity for public engagement.
Peer-to-peer exchange is a key part of that learning. “This session will bring together professionals from across the state to share challenges and success stories in a participatory and engaging way,” said Julie Aberg Robison, program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development.
That emphasis on connecting vision to resources runs throughout the training. Erin Mullenix, research scientist and evaluation specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development, explained, “We are looking forward to meaningful conversations that link community vision, planning and budgeting. This training gives non-finance professionals practical tools to ensure every plan and project accounts for the fiscal resources needed to make it achievable.”
For details or registration assistance, contact Biswa Das at bdas@iastate.edu, Erin Mullenix at erinm1@iastate.edu, or Julie A. Robison at jrobison@iastate.edu. Media inquiries: Esther Crompton, communication specialist, eecrompt@iastate.edu.
