Governmental Consulting Services

The following is a list of services offered by GCS.

Budget Assistance

We will provide hands-on budget assistance by guiding you through the process of estimating revenues and expenditures, complete budget forms, determining levy needs, setting up hearing dates and presenting the budget to the fiscal body and taxpayers.

Budget Training

As part of our services, we will conduct budget training services for the fiscal officers of counties, cities/towns, libraries and townships. Our knowledge of the budget process enables us to provide local officials with a realistic understanding of local government budgeting and the process.

Financial Health Analysis

Our team will review a unit’s overall financial picture and work with officials to examine the history of revenues and expenditures as well as forecast future operating and revenue needs for future years. We will tailor our analysis to fit your needs.

Circuit Breaker Analysis

We conduct circuit breaker analysis to determine if there are potential revenue losses in your community. Our analysis looks at the data on a parcel level basis and projects whether or not revenue losses will occur. Having this information available helps you make informed decisions now and later.

Local Option Income Tax Analysis

We can help you evaluate the local option income taxes available through the existing county adjusted gross income tax (CAGIT), county option income tax (COIT), and county economic development income tax (CEDIT) or the newer CAGIT and COIT for property tax relief, operating, or public safety needs. Our analysis assists you in determining whether or not a new or additiional income tax fits your needs.

Capital Project Plans

We will work with units of government to develop capital project plans that identify a unit’s needs for the next three to five years. This will include developing a strategic capital projects plan that provides an overview of the existing facilities, examines capital project needs, and considers outstanding debt.

Bonds, notes or other obligations for pension debt

We will work with counties and municipalities to address outstanding pension obligations and to work toward funded solutions in the future as well as capital projects under consideration.

Employer Benefits

We will provide advice on group insurance and 457(b) plans. Our team can assist you with GASB 45 reporting requirements.

Abatements and Tax Increment Finance "TIF"

We will work with you on reviewing and calculating property tax abatements, conducting abatement training, determining initial abatement deduction amounts under consideration by the city or county council. We will assist counties with preparing tax increment finance neutralization worksheets and understanding TIF districts.

Special Studies

Our team will conduct special studies related to annexation, shared services and consolidation, local option income taxes, and other areas of interest to local officials.