The Council has held 2 budget deliberations meetings so far with sparse attendance. There are several more scheduled before the end of this fiscal year. I want to take the opportunity to personally invite you to attend these meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 at 8:00pm at City Hall Library. Your input is not only desired, but necessary.
While I am not a member of the finance committee, I did want to share some of my thoughts. Sitting in these meetings brings back memories of management courses heavily based on the teachings of Porter, Senge and Drucker. What would these management gurus say about Plainfield? Probably something simple, obvious and catchy but previously not clearly stated. For example, Plainfield should implement the “3 Ps - Priorities, Process, Performance”.
1. PRIORITIES - We need to prioritize the services we want. Having limited resources means we need to make tough decisions. Several Councilors have already suggested adopting a list of priorities and I agree whole-heartedly.
2. PROCESS - We need a yearlong budget process encompassing both passing the budget and managing it throughout the year. The Finance Committee is already working on a process to pass the budget for this year and next. I would also like to see how the Council will oversee the budget throughout the year. For example, reporting on monthly department spending would give us an idea of where we are over budget or under budget and allow us to work with the CFO to encumber department budgets when necessary. In other words, it allows for more controlled spending.
3. PERFORMANCE - We must measure the impact of spending. This will ensure that we are getting a return on our tax dollars. In addition, it sets the standard for one year so that we can raise the bar in the next year. This was discussed during budget meetings held last fall and should be continued this year.
I hope to see more residents at the next meeting.
.
4 comments:
You are on the mark. #2, Process, is most important. Unfortunately on lip service has been paid to the process in the past.It is also meaningless if 2/3 of the year has already past and we are operating by fiat without a budget.
Until the Council asserts its role, the other two points are moot.
ZZZZzzzzzzz. You are stating the obvious. Why not tell everyone to breath while you are at it.
To the 2nd comment ... it is obvious. But, apparently, the current administration can't, won't, or is unable to understand simple, basic, sound business practices and management.
1. Budgets - which are an estimate - should be set BEFORE the year starts. Since I've been here, that has never happened. Why? Citizens get nothing but excuses.
2. Spending should be monitored monthly. My guess this does not happen because the city's finances are apparently done in excel, so high-level, monthly reporting is impossible. This is scary and extremely poor financial management.
3. Has ANYONE in city hall done a comparitive analysis of funds spent versus city benefit? A yearly financial post mortum? No, probably most likely because we've not had a competent CFO in city for quite a while. That, to my viewpoint, is a very clear failure by the administration.
Given these facts, I think Annie, as a councilwoman, has every right and duty to state the obvious -- because OBVIOUSLY the city isn't doing simple management basics.
Olive
You are absolutely correct. However, until there is public outrage about spending, nothing will happen. Case in point:
The mayor has 3 assistants. One full time, and two part time. There is no need for this staffing. If the mayor needs to cut hours in the office because of one less assistant, I do not believe anyone would mind considering it will be saving tax dollars.
And remember, part of the function of someone in that department is to get resumes for people interested in boards and commissions to the council within a reasonable period of time. Can't seem to do that with 3 people.
How about it Mayor? Why can CEO's of fortune 500 manage with one assistant and you need 3? Explanation please.
Keep up the good work, Annie.
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