In determining whether or not user-friendly budgets are having an impact on citizen participation in local governments it is necessary to conduct a survey. This survey will consist of several different questions. The questions will examine the overall effectiveness of the user-friendly budget document. The main object of the survey is to see if user-friendly budgets are influencing citizen participation in local government. In order to better understand the influence of user-friendly budgets and how it relates to citizen participation it is best to conduct a survey of those participating in local government meetings. Thus, this paper is going to explain (i) the surveys purpose; (ii) the survey participants; (iii) the method of delivery; (iv) the collection and storage of the data; (v) any concerns or biases that might exist in the survey results; and (vi) the response format. …show more content…
More specifically the data collected will focus on how user-friendly budgets have or have not benefited local municipalities. The data is attempting to explain has the New Jersey Local Finance board’s requirement for local municipalities to create a user-friendly budget document increased citizen engagement in the budget process. Are more citizens attending budget hearings or participating in the budget process since the new requirement? The reason behind collecting the data is to prove whether the new requirement is helping municipalities focus their efforts on creating programs and spending money in effective ways that are benefiting their citizens. On the other hand, is the new requirement a complete waste of time, not increasing citizen engagement and only creating more paperwork for chief financial