Description

Financial Strategy Assignment

For this assignment you will critically examine the budget or financial situation of your selected entity or industry sector, and provide dialogue, discussion and analysis. You should choose from scenarios provided below. If there is another item you would like to investigate outside of these, please email us. You will prepare a 3-5,000 word report, with tables, figures and a strong logical framework. Paralleling this you will narrate / record and post a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation online for discussion and dialogue.

Written Document: Format your written materials professionally (APA style is fine) with attention to detail and proper citation. Web references require the URL, author, date, title of the webpage, as well as the date you accessed the material. Papers with missing or incomplete references risk not receiving full credit. In your presentation, you are strongly encouraged to use visual augmentation in your written work (charts, diagrams, tables that elaborate or elucidate your argument). Do not use copyright protected images or material from present or past employers that would be considered proprietary, confidential, company sensitive, or trade secret. A good place to start for creative commons / copyright free images is http://www.unsplash.com. 

Presentation Making: We will use online presentation to promote time discipline as well as classroom equity. Use Powerpoint to record your PPT and upload it (or the link to it) to the discussion board. Your presentation should be 5-6 minutes long and posted for your classmates to view on the discussion board. After posting review at least two of the presentations of your classmates, using the links or files posted on this discussion board. Ask questions, provide discussion and feedback under the applicable VoiceThread presentation link on the discussion board. Remember: Post your original presentation, offer discussion/feedback on at least two of your classmates' presentations.

Scenarios

1.    Parking has long been an economic driver for many cities, with revenue providing subsidization for many urban services. In recent years, with the advent of ridesharing and less people traveling, this revenue has declined. This revenue is only anticipated to decline further as these trends accelerate and automation becomes more prevalent. How can cities project revenues and expenses in this arena? What strategic actions should cities take to build up transportation income moving into the next 10 to 15 years and find sustainable and socially just transportation solutions?

2.    Many cities across the US have been exploring accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a housing typology to increase the number of housing units particularly on single-family lots. Yet there has been a lag on how quickly these units are being deployed and there are limited financial tools available for individuals without cash for a down payment to afford to construct such a unit. What strategies exist to mitigate this? What cost reduction in finance strategies can be used to lower the cost of accessory dwelling units? What kind of units and unit costs hit various levels of area median income and how can units be produced that are affordable by design and target lower and extremely low income residents without requiring deed restrictions on existing properties?

3.   The California state prison system suffers the effects of overcrowding, aging       infrastructure and increased need for specialized space to meet mandated           service requirements (e.g., health care, rehabilitation programs). The recent      Covid-19 outbreak at San Quentin State Prison serves as an illustration of the             challenges facing the prison system, as the outbreak has been attributed in part            to significant overcrowding at that facility. The reduction of facility populations            cannot be achieved by contracting with private prisons, as a state law passed            last fall requires the phasing out of the use of for-profit prisons in California by 2028. What are strategies to balance revenues and operating expenses and     provide sufficient capital to improve outcomes for prison workers as well as those        who are incarcerated? Are there financial strategies that have not been     considered this far?