E3 - Educate, Enhance & Engage in the Budget Process

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Prince William County, Virginia’s “E3 – Educate, Enhance & Engage in the Budget Process” program was developed in response to requests for increased governmental transparency and the desire to take full advantage of technological advances that enhance community connectivity. E3 enhances the community’s role in the budget process by providing broader access to the information used to develop budget recommendations for the Board of County Supervisors’ consideration and ultimate action. A more educated community is better able to fully participate in the process, and E3 provides the tools for anyone to expand their knowledge base. Very much a work in progress, the elements of E3 are continually assessed to ensure their usefulness in terms of content and technology. Community involvement in the budget process has increased since the implementation of E3, as have the biannual community survey results regarding governmental efficiency, effectiveness, trustworthiness, and value for the tax dollar.