Unlike road maintenance, public health initiatives, and education spending, cybersecurity isn’t always top of mind when thinking about local government budgets.

However, as three Colorado communities recently impacted by cyberattacks can attest, allocating funds for cybersecurity in local government programs is essential.

Local governments are facing unprecedented new challenges today. Issues confronting communities include climate change, societal inequity, aging infrastructure, and so much more. Today’s leaders are tasked with addressing monumental challenges and have limited budgets and resources to do so.  

I recently read a quote from Mike Mucha, Director of Research at GFOA, in the October issue of Governing where he stated, "The budget is, basically, the center of the government universe. It's where decisions about what's important get funded."

"The City of Duluth, MN faced structural challenges in its budget, given some of the city’s particular needs and obligations. Priority based budgeting helped the city align its revenues, expenditures, and values."

Premise and Problem Statement

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) infuses $350 billion into local governments, easing the immediate financial trauma facing most every community across the country, and providing options to overcome shortfalls and simultaneously rebuild for a stronger, more sustainable future.

The City of Flagstaff, AZ is now in their second year of Priority Based Budgeting (PBB). In the first year, Council and City leadership developed key community priorities and objectives. Additionally, the City  developed their initial program level data platform (inventory, costing and scoring).