Question 7

Does the Executive’s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present expenditure estimates for a multi-year period (at least two-years beyond the budget year) by any of the three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, or functional classification)?
 * a. Yes, multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by all three expenditure classifications (by administrative, economic, and functional classification).
 * b. Yes, multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by two of the three expenditure classifications.
 * c. Yes, multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by only one of the three expenditure classifications.
 * d. No, multi-year expenditure estimates are not presented by any expenditure classification.
 * e. Not applicable/other (please comment).

Guidelines
Budget decisions for the upcoming year can also affect the parameters of future budgets. It is therefore useful to estimate revenues and expenditures for multi-year periods, understanding that these estimates might be revised as circumstances change. Sometimes referred to as a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a three-year period — that is, the budget year plus two more years — is generally considered an appropriate horizon for budgeting and planning.

Question 7 asks if multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by any one of the three expenditure classifications — by administrative, economic, and functional classifications — which were addressed in Questions 1-5 above. Each of the classifications answers a different question: administrative unit indicates who spends the money; functional classification shows for what purpose is the money spent; and economic classification displays what the money is spent on. To answer “a,” the Executive’s Budget Proposal or its supporting documentation must present expenditure estimates by all three of the expenditure classifications for at least two years beyond the budget year. To answer “b,” multi-year expenditure estimates must be presented by two of these three classifications. A “c” answer applies if multi-year expenditure estimates are presented by one of the three classifications. Answer “d” applies if multi-year expenditure estimates are not presented by any of the three classifications.

Minimum for accepting a multi-year economic classification?
We accepted this from the Philippines.

"Other" categories
Watch out for aggregate categories, such as “other.” To receive an “a” answer, the “other” category has to be smaller than 3% of the total. If the “other” category is more than 3%, then the score should be “b.”