An online budget tool is an interactive website allowing residents to explore municipal budget information, understand how tax dollars are spent, and sometimes provide input on budget priorities. These tools may show budget breakdowns by department or service, allow users to see how much of their taxes support different functions, compare spending over time, or simulate effects of budget changes. Online budget tools enhance transparency by making complex budget information accessible and understandable to average citizens. Some municipalities use interactive tools during budget consultation to gather public input on priorities. Effective budget tools balance comprehensiveness with user-friendliness.