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Montana Office of Budget and Program Planning records

 Collection
Identifier: RS-190

Scope and Contents

This collection is a subgroup (Office) of the Montana Office of the Governor records. The Montana Office of Budget and Program Planning is administered through the Governor's Office. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Office of the Governor records.

This collection is made up of eight series: general correspondence (1961-1978); interoffice correspondence (1967-1978); news releases (1961-1977); organizational materials (1971, undated); reports (1970, 1975); speeches (1969-1970); subject files (1962-1978); and miscellany (1969-1971, undated). The general correspondence is largely outgoing correspondence, and a substantial portion with the governor. The correspondence discusses agencies' budgets and requests, fiscal policy and procedures, relevant legislation, and special projects. The interoffice correspondence discusses similar topics. The news releases are few and concern news releases issued by other state agencies considered erroneous by the budget director, and the budget of Montana Highway Patrol. The organizational materials are agency charts and position descriptions. The reports are reviews of the agency's work for the fiscal year. The three speeches concern the general work of the agency and state revenue and budget agency policy. The subject files concern special studies which the Office of Budget and Program Planning undertook, usually in conjunction with other state agencies. One such study (files on which comprise about half of the total collection) is a study, coordinated by the Office of Budget and Program Planning and conducted with the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, and the Department of Institutions, of a proposal to deinstitutionalize the developmentally disabled. These files contain varied information on the treatment of institutionalized individuals and the attitudes of all levels of personnel in the various state departments. The miscellany series contains blank budget forms and some unidentified writings chiefly concerning taxes in Montana.

Dates

  • Creation: 1961-1978

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Biographical / Historical

From 1909 to 1951 the state accountant was responsible for budgetary matters. The state controller assumed those responsibilities from 1951 until 1959, when the Office of State Budget Director was created. That office handled budgeting until 1969, when it was eliminated and a Budget Division was created within the Department of Administration. A 1974 law delegated all budgetary responsibilities to the governor. The same year the Office of Budget and Program Planning was created, under the control of a Budget Director appointed by the governor. The general purpose of the Office of Budget and Program Planning and its predecessor agencies is and was to assist in the preparation and execution of the state budget by aiding the state's chief budget officer (the governor) and the legislature in making the best decisions in allocating fiscal resources to meet public needs, and insuring that government agencies carry out state programs efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with legislative intent. While the legislature is in session the primary function of the agency is to assist the appropriations committees and state agencies during appropriation hearings, and assist in the preparation of appropriation measures. While the legislature is off, the agency does research for the governor. Office of Budget and Program Planning personnel consult with and advise agencies in the preparation and presentation of budget requests; analyze and evaluate agencies' budget requests; revise agencies' budgets or make recommendations for budget revisions to the governor; assist at legislative budget hearings; interpret approved appropriations for agencies; gather data and produce studies on problems with budgetary administration; and consult with and advise agencies on how to control expenditures and develop annual budgets. For the years covered by this collection budget directors include the following people: Edward W. Nelson (1961-1964); Richard F. Morris 1964-1969; Keith L. Colbo, 1969-1974; Michael G. Billings, 1974-1977; George L. Boulisman, 1977-1978.

Extent

2.75 linear feet

Abstract

This collection is a subgroup (Office) of the Montana Office of the Governor records. The Montana Office of Budget and Program Planning is administered through the Governor's Office. Please see the primary finding aid for more Montana Office of the Governor records. These records (1962-1975) include correspondence, news releases, organizational charts, along with subject files on the deinstitutionalization of the developmentally disabled, Glasgow Air Force Base, the Montana Futures Survey, the Needs Assessment Project, and other projects, as well as miscellaneous materials.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by series.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition information available upon request.

Title
Guide to the Montana Office of Budget and Program Planning records, 1961-1978
Author
Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
Date
2004
Description rules
)
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository

Contact:
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)