Corrective Action Plans for Local Governments as Their Financial Health Barometers?

Abstract

The implementation of corrective action plans in local government units (LGUs) takes place in the situation when they are unable to draw up a Multiannual Financial Forecast or the budget complying with the principles set out in Article 242-244 of the Public Finance Act (UFP). In the years 2012–2016, there was a six-fold increase in the number of LGUs which were obliged to implement these plans. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to assess their suitability as an actual barometer of the financial standing of local government units and propose an alternative solutions. The conducted analysis shows that the adopted legislative solutions regulating the implementation of corrective action plans are inconsistent and their effectiveness is not fully satisfactory. The paper suggests changes in current regulations and proposes alternative approach to the assessment of the financial position of local government units.