Mariya PECHENSKAYA-POLISHCHUK
PhD in Economics, Head of the Laboratory for Public Finance Development Issues Research, Leading Researcher, Vologda Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 49, Gogolya Street, Vologda, 160014, Russia
marileen@bk.ru
Abstract
Purpose. To detail the system of indicators and, on their basis, develop an integral index for assessing municipalities’ budget capacity level, which makes it possible to substantiate the choice of a model of financial support for the functioning of local budgets.
Design , methodology , approach. The information base includes works of leading Russian and foreign scientists on the issues under study, reports issued by the Federal Treasury of Russia and the Federal Tax Service of Russia, statistical data from the Federal State Statistics Service and the International Monetary Fund. The research is of complex nature, as it involves a set of fundamental general scientific and special methods, in particular, dialectical and logical methods, horizontal and vertical analysis of financial ratios, statistical and cluster analysis, etc.
Findings. The article presents a system of groups, indicators and author’s method for a comprehensive multidimensional assessment of the municipalities’ budget capacity level. On its basis it is possible to choose an optimal financial support model to support local budget functioning, worked out for municipal districts. The results of integral assessment of the data on the Vologda Oblast taken as a model region, indicate that budget capacity of most municipalities in 2006-2018 was at the average and below average level. Thus, the region misses certain opportunities for development of its budget capacity. At the same time, the conducted calculations show the prevalence of the fourth-type model of financial support for the settlement network, i.e. a differentiated approach depending on the indicator of budgetary provision of settlements.
Research , practical implications. The results obtained contribute to the development of theoretical science and form the foundation for applied use by state authorities and local governments in the implementation of methodological approaches, assessment methods, methodological tools for substantiating budget policy decisions, and can also be used in the scientific activity and educational process.
Originality , value. The scientific value of the research lies in the development of methodological tools for assessing the level of municipalities’ budget capacity when determining the model for financing settlements.
Keywords: Russian Federation, region, budget capacity, municipalities, local government, local budget, assessment
JEL classification: H77, G18, H61
pp. 43-52