Question 35

Does the Executive’s Budget Proposal or any supporting budget documentation present estimates of intergovernmental transfers for at least the budget year?
 * a. Yes, estimates of all intergovernmental transfers are presented, along with a narrative discussion.
 * b. Yes, estimates of all intergovernmental transfers are presented, but a narrative discussion is not included.
 * c. Yes, estimates of some but not all intergovernmental transfers are presented.
 * d. No, estimates of intergovernmental transfers are not presented.
 * e. Not applicable/other (please comment).

Guidelines
Question 35 asks about intergovernmental transfers. In many cases, the central government supports the provision of a good or service by a lower level of government through an intergovernmental transfer of funds. This is necessary because, independent from the level of administrative decentralization that exists in a given country, the capacity for revenue collection of a local government is unlikely to be sufficient to pay for all its expenses. However, because the activity is not being undertaken by an administrative unit of the central government, it is unlikely to receive the same level of review in the budget. Thus it is important to include in the budget proposal a statement that explicitly indicates the amount and purposes of these transfers.

To answer “a,” the Executive’s Budget Proposal or supporting documentation must present for at least the budget year both estimates covering all intergovernmental transfers and a narrative discussing these transfers. If a narrative discussion is not included, but estimates for all intergovernmental transfers are presented, then a “b” answer is appropriate. A “c” response applies if the presentation includes estimates covering only some, but not all, intergovernmental transfers (regardless of whether it also includes a narrative discussion). Answer “c” also applies if estimates of intergovernmental transfers are presented as a single line item. Answer “d” applies if no estimates of intergovernmental transfers are presented.

1) What to do in the case of a lump sum?
In Ecuador in OBS 2019, a lump sum figure for intergovernmental transfers was presented with a narrative discussion. We scored this “c”; we would need more disaggregated figures to be able to score it a “b” or an “a”.

So in the case of a lump sum of intergovernmental transfers, regardless of whether or not there is a narrative, answer “c” should be chosen.