It’s a new fiscal year!

The new fiscal year in Rankin County began at the start of the October, which for city leaders (and the reporters who must track what they are doing) is budget season. Since I’m new in town, I requested two budgets from each government entity, the one from the fiscal year that ended in September 2008 and the one that began in October 2008. Rankin County has seven cities — so let’s just say I had my fill of budgets.

As a college reporter, I became familiar with university budgets. But with the budgets of seven cities, I had to study them all and pull out some commonalities (or stark differences) among them. I never thought I would be thankful for that accounting class I took in college. But those basics helped me pick up a budget and tear into it.

I wrote two budget-related stories. The first was one analyzed which cities had budgets that were slimmed down. The second one discussed how most cities were anticipating lower sales taxes and what effects it would have on the city. Neither stories are as exciting as the budget stalemate that occured in California during the summer. Enjoy! I promise either will put you to sleep… haha.