Making local government accounting more transparent doesn’t just make our cities better for the people who live in them. It also reveals the financial impact of North America’s entire development pattern.
Local government should be the place where residents collectively shape their cities. But in order to do that, you need clear, accurate, accessible information about your local finances. Local governments must be properly funded, but your money must also be properly stewarded.
For 14 years, Strong Towns has been uncovering the math behind city budgets. “Doing the math” is in our movement’s DNA!
We believe you should have a say in where your city’s money is going. You should know your tax dollars are contributing to making your place more resilient, not more financially fragile. This starts with transparent local accounting.
Local government accounting is unnecessarily complicated, confusing, and illogical.
The true extent of deferred maintenance and replacement cost obligations for infrastructure is not accounted for in a city’s financial reports.
Municipal financial statements must be prepared with the local citizen in mind, not a Wall Street analyst or bond investor.
