Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

Budgeting for Social Equity: Exploring the (Nearly) Unknown

Bruce D. McDonald III

Old Dominion University

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8963-8606

Sean A. McCandless

University of Texas at Dallas

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1820-7467

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v3i1.4661

Keywords: Budgeting, Equity, Community engagement, local government

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Abstract

Public administration has become increasingly concerned with social equity, particularly in budgetary processes. Local governments have adopted so-called equity budgeting practices, yet little is understood about how and why they are adopted; what budgeting practices are deemed social equity budgeting versus traditional budgeting; what is required to adopt and implement social equity budgeting successfully; and how success is measured. We analyzed government and nonprofit documents on social equity budgeting, followed by interviews with local government budget directors serving “early adopter cities” of social equity budgeting practices. We developed a framework of social equity budgeting practices to link the findings regarding systemic, societal, political, managerial, and legal practices needed for social equity budgeting among these early adopter cities. Five themes were identified that underlie the successful adoption of a social equity lens: broad grassroots efforts, receptive elective leaders, extended community engagement, buy-in by public administrators, and discourse on how to measure equity.

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Author Biographies

Bruce D. McDonald III, Old Dominion University

Bruce D. McDonald III (he/him) (bmcdonal@odu.edu) is a professor of Public Budgeting and Finance and director of the School of Public Service at Old Dominion University. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of Public Administration and the co-editor-in-chief of Public Finance Journal. He holds a PhD in public administration and policy from Florida State University.

Sean A. McCandless, University of Texas at Dallas

Sean A. McCandless (he/him) (sean.mccandless@utdallas.edu) is an associate professor of Public and  Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas. With Susan T. Gooden and Richard Greggory Johnson III, he co-founded the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration. With S. Nicole Diggs, he co-chairs the Diversity and Social Equity committee of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. In 2021, he was named a University Scholar of the University of Illinois System and a Public Voices fellow.

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