If the budget seems overfunded, what is the worst course of action you can take?

Submitting the budget as is, without taking into consideration the apparent overfunding, can lead to several negative consequences. When a budget is overfunded, it suggests that either the proposed programs do not require the amount of funding being requested, or that funds may not be allocated effectively. By submitting it unchanged, you potentially risk mismanagement of resources, failure to meet actual program needs, and undermining the credibility of the budgeting process.

Choosing this path fails to address the oversight and can lead to financial inefficiencies. Program leaders might not have a clear understanding of the budget's necessity and may not utilize the excess funds effectively, which could result in wasted resources or lack of accountability in spending. Additionally, it may signal to stakeholders that budgetary reviews and evaluations are not taken seriously, which can further erode trust in the budgeting process.

The other options involve taking steps to evaluate and adjust the funding based on needs (asking for justifications or making changes), or strategically delaying the submission to allow for review. These courses of action are aimed at ensuring responsible use of funds and maintaining the integrity of the budgeting process, making them more productive than simply submitting the budget as is.