Chapter 10, Problem 19EP

Examine the following tables from the Financial Trend Monitoring Report for the Town of Oakdale for the most recent fiscal year-end. The performance indicators selected are total revenue and revenue per capita. The town provides three reference groups with which to compare Oakdale: Aaa-rated municipalities, comparison municipalities, and the state median. Because local government budgeting in this state is driven by the property tax levy cap, this is a key variable in comparing municipalities.

Required

1. a.      Prepare a histogram or bar graph that shows Oakdale in relation to the three reference groups: Aaa-rated median, comparison reference group, and state median for FY total revenue and a separate graph for FY revenue per capita.
2. b.      Evaluate the financial performance of Oakdale for the fiscal year. Use information from the tables and the graph you prepared for part a to support your analysis.
3. c.       What other performance measures would you like to see before you conclude the town is in good or bad shape for the fiscal year shown?