04-05-2010, 04:01 AM
I understand it.
It's the same as any other budget, be it a single person's budget or a large company's budget. I think the issue is that the budget being proposed is a compilation of many budgets pulled together to form the consolidated County proposed budget. But you don't see all those smaller specific agency/department/project/program budgets so it appears confusing. If all those were available as part of the consolidated fiscal year budget, it would be 1,000 times as big and confuse most even more.
But, as a resident, you have the right to see that information. You just need to ask. May I suggest you ask for the information and if something is strange in it, raise your hand and ask the question.
As for the health care budget, it is what it cost. They can't flub it unless they have phantom participants. The amount is audited to ensure the County is paying the posted premium rates based on participants and the coverage they selected. This is probably the most transparent item.
It's the same as any other budget, be it a single person's budget or a large company's budget. I think the issue is that the budget being proposed is a compilation of many budgets pulled together to form the consolidated County proposed budget. But you don't see all those smaller specific agency/department/project/program budgets so it appears confusing. If all those were available as part of the consolidated fiscal year budget, it would be 1,000 times as big and confuse most even more.
But, as a resident, you have the right to see that information. You just need to ask. May I suggest you ask for the information and if something is strange in it, raise your hand and ask the question.
As for the health care budget, it is what it cost. They can't flub it unless they have phantom participants. The amount is audited to ensure the County is paying the posted premium rates based on participants and the coverage they selected. This is probably the most transparent item.