Return to Graphic Version

Search Site:

Index

Online Services

Our Government

News and Events

Maps, Facts & Stats

State & Federal

FY 2012 Do-It-Yourself Budget Toolkit

The Do-it-Yourself Budget Toolkit gives residents, community groups and organizations the opportunity to host individual group discussion sessions about the FY 2012 budget. You will learn of the big picture but you can also choose to focus on the issues that matter most to you. Follow the five easy steps below: 

Step 1: Gather a Group

Choose the most convenient time and place for your community of interest or existing group to meet. Examples of groups include homeowner associations, parent/teacher associations, issue advocacy groups and more. A few things to consider:

• Groups should be between 4 and 12 people; if you have more than 12 break into multiple groups.
• Groups should have both a dedicated facilitator and notetaker.
• Groups should have Internet access, if possible, to review materials.
• You're welcome to submit a few photos of your group meeting to our Flickr gallery.
• You also may send links to videos to publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov; (do not attach video files; they will be too large).

Step 2: Watch Video

Text-only transcript

Step 3: Review Background Documents

Step 4: Discuss Framework Questions

Group members should take two minutes each to state your views, uninterrupted by other members of the group. Then all group members are encouraged to participate in an open group discussion, starting with these framework questions:

1. Based on your experience, which budget decisions the last two years were:
   a.) most acceptable?
   b.) least acceptable?
   Please list your top three for each.
   
   
2. Budgeting requires a balance of priorities based on what community members value about Fairfax County. Considering the budget video, supporting documents and your group discussion about Question 1, what strategies would you use to balance the FY 2012 budget?

Step 5: Submit Summary of Group Discussion

• Use this form to submit a summary of your group's meeting. Thanks!
• You're welcome to submit a few photos of your group meeting to our Flickr gallery.
• You also may send links to videos to publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov; (do not attach video files; they will be too large).