What is a suitable question to ask agency staff during a budget review to assess potential spending cuts?

Asking agency staff, "What services would you reduce if faced with a 10% budget cut?" directly addresses the critical issue of resource allocation and helps assess what can be deprioritized during difficult financial times. This question encourages staff to think strategically about their services and programs, providing insights into which areas are most essential and which could be trimmed without severely impacting overall operations. It fosters a conversation around priority setting and allows leadership to understand the implications of budget cuts on service delivery.

In contrast, inquiring about the department's total budget, the history of the department, or the procedure for counting employees does not facilitate a discussion on spending cuts. These questions may provide helpful context or administrative information but do not engage staff in critical thinking about budgetary constraints and the potential for making necessary reductions. Thus, focusing on service reduction enables a more meaningful dialogue about budgetary priorities and operational efficiencies.