In the last episode, we talked about budgets, what they are, what they aren’t, and why they feel locked in once adopted.

Now we take the next step.

Why does everything cost so much?

Whether it’s a road repair, a public project, or a basic service, the reaction is almost always the same:

“That shouldn’t cost that much.”

This episode breaks down that reaction.

Not to defend every expense.Not to excuse bad decisions.

But to explain what’s actually underneath the price tag.

Because in local government, costs don’t just come from materials or labor.

They come from layers, Regulations.Safety standards.Long-term responsibility.

And systems most people never see.

This is your introduction to understanding cost, in plain English.

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