The Strong Towns Podcast

Mark Moses: How To Understand and Fix Government Budgeting

17 snips
Apr 7, 2025
Mark Moses, the author of "The Municipal Financial Crisis," delves into the complexities of government budgeting. He critiques the often-misunderstood concept of balanced budgets, pointing out the pitfalls of short-term fiscal strategies. Moses sheds light on the disparity between city finances and business models, particularly in recreation and housing. He advocates for more market-driven approaches and discusses the inefficiencies of privatization in utilities. The conversation reveals a pressing need for transparency and accountability in local government finance.
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INSIGHT

Balanced Budgets Can Be Misleading

  • Many believe a balanced city budget means all is good.
  • However, this can be misleading, masking deferred maintenance and service reductions.
INSIGHT

How Cities Balance Budgets

  • Cities often balance budgets by delaying essential spending, like maintenance or equipment replacement.
  • This creates future problems and burdens the next generation.
INSIGHT

Lack of Feedback Loops in Government

  • City governments lack immediate feedback mechanisms present in the private sector.
  • This makes it harder to identify and address financial issues promptly.
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