Budget Deliberations: Logistics + Structure

LOGISTICS

Budget Deliberations will begin this week. Dates were advertised this weekend. Here is some additional information:

Tuesday, October 26th, 7:00 PM, City Hall Library
Public Safety (Police & Fire), Signals, Traffic

Thursday, October 28th, 7:00 PM, City Hall Library
Inspections, Municipal Court, Corporation Counsel, Engineering

Wednesday, November 3rd
Public Works & Recreation

Thursday, November 4th
Social Services (Plainfield Action Services, WIC, Bilingual Daycare), Health

Monday, November 8th
Tax Assessor, Collector, Audit & Control, Purchasing

Tuesday, November 9th
Library, City Clerk, IT/Media

Thursday, November 11th
Capital Budget, Planning, Economic Development

**Times and locations for deliberations to be held after October 28th, will be announced shortly


STRUCTURE

I was not satisfied with last year's budget deliberations. The focus of the deliberations should be on goals and numbers. Poorly articulated goals, unavailable performance measurements and missing data are unacceptable. While I understand the effect that shrunken resources has had on City Hall, the Administration must be prepared so that the Council can make informed budget decisions.

I have requested that presentations be organized differently. Each division head has been asked to address a specified set of questions (see below) at the beginning of their presentation. I believe the answers to these questions will provide the Council with the data they need to make decisions and open up a dialogue on how we can do more with less in these economic times. I will grant an additional 5 minutes for any other information to be shared. Councilors and CBAC members will then have an opportunity to ask their questions. The public will also have an opportunity to address the Council.

1) Overview
What services do you deliver to the residents of Plainfield? What are your responsibilities within City Hall?

2) Performance Measurements
What quantifiable data can you provide that will give the Council meaningful information on how well you have delivered services?

3) Goals, Objectives
What are your priorities for the coming year? What are your short-term and long-term goals? What additional personnel or resources will be needed to achieve these goals. Please provide corresponding dollar amounts (estimates are fine).

4) Shared Services
What opportunities for shared services exist?

5) Grant Opportunities
What opportunities for grants exist?

6) Costs
What are your major costs? What opportunities exist to cut these costs?

7) Revenues
Do you generate any revenues for the City? What opportunities exist to increase revenues?

8) Lay-off Plan
How will the recently approved lay-off plan affect your productivity? Be specific.

9) Improved Productivity
How can the Council empower you to deliver better results?

.**minor grammatical changes made at 9:40am