Public-sector information systems: A city uses a computer system for real-estate taxation. Which task is the computer least able to perform compared to human policymakers?

Introduction / Context:
Government information systems automate record-keeping and calculations for taxation, licensing, and services. However, certain tasks remain inherently policy decisions requiring elected officials’ judgment. The question asks which task a computer is least suited for compared with administrative and legislative bodies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The system supports real-estate tax administration.
• Operational tasks include maintaining records, computing liabilities, and posting payments.
• Policy tasks include setting tax revenue targets and rates.

Concept / Approach:
Computers excel at deterministic processing: storing master data (assessments, categories), executing formulas (mill rates, exemptions), and logging transactions (payments). By contrast, deciding how much revenue to raise is a normative, political choice balancing budgets, services, and equity considerations—outside the scope of automated computation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
List operational tasks suited to automation: records management, calculation, posting.Identify policy task: determining revenue needs.Select the policy task as least amenable to automation: deciding how much to raise.

Verification / Alternative check:
Public administration divides responsibilities: computers implement policy via rules, while elected bodies set the rules and targets.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Keeping records (rates, assessments, payments): routine data management—ideal for computers.
• Computing tax due: formulaic and repeatable.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming predictive analytics can replace policy judgment; analytics can inform but not decide community-wide trade-offs.

Final Answer:
Decide how much money should be raised through real estate taxes