Responsibility of local government entities related to the implementation of the budget formulation and execution process – selected issues

Abstract

The functioning of the local government in the state, finding its foundations in the decentralisation process, is related to the allocation of specific tasks to it and, as a consequence, to a relevant share in public revenues. Equipping local government units with financial resources is in fact an important element ensuring their ability to perform the entrusted public tasks, while running their own financial management allows for independent decisions on the manner of management of the entrusted public resources. Independent financial management relates to the adoption of a budget resolution on an annual basis, which is its basis, and with a specific procedure for budget execution. The granting of certain competences (public tasks), revenue authority and the attribute of independent running of the financial economy is connected to a specific mode of responsibility of local government units, which, like responsibility in financial law in general, is a complex issue and is characterised by a variety of applied sanctions and legal regulations. The sanctions applicable in this case – depending on the entity concerned – are primarily systemic financial law sanctions, administrative sanctions, sanctions for breach of public finance discipline, but also criminal sanctions, fiscal criminal sanctions and civil sanctions.