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| Yesterday's
E-R editorial was a good one. It focused on the budget
deficit that Chico faces and the responsibility city staff has to make recommendations.
When previously asked for their opinion city staff provided a list of 54
possible cost reduction/income generating ideas. The editorial correctly
points out that these are not recommendations. The list did come with a form of prioritization through a vaguely defined letter grade and a column suggesting how easy a line item may be to implement. Most of the listed items did not come with information necessary to determine the item's actual impact on the financial problem. Some items on the list relate to RDA funds which are not part of the General Fund deficit problem, but part of a separate capital projects funding shortfall. Another issue with the "budget matrix" is that it has become the de facto line of assault on the budget problem. This is problematic since a rigid discussion that focuses on each line item of the matrix diverts energy away from identifying and analyzing other unlisted options. The Finance Committee (Gruendl, Wahl, Flynn) recently cancelled tonight's planned public discussion on the budget problem. This was probably a good idea since the previous committee meetings identified a lack of information related to the items listed on the matrix. The lack of relevant information was recently confirmed by Councilor Gruendl (in this E-R story). Last month I emailed a suggestion to one of the Finance Committee members that staff include at least a 1 page description of each matrix item that identifies its fiscal significance. I doubt anyone on the Finance Committee needed me to point out the lack of information, but it's a good sign that after a couple of meetings they're asking staff for more details. Another recommendation I made was that the Council appoint a citizen's task force to identify, discuss, and recommend budget reduction items. The current process requires people that get paid by the city to make and prioritize the recommendations. Recent Finance Committee meetings have been attended primarily by city employees, who would be negatively impacted if some solutions were implemented. Chico currently has a well populated Sustainability Task Force and is moving towards forming a General Plan citizen's committee. Both of these groups are supposed to identify and recommend long term policy directions for the City. I would think that a projected $112 million budget shortfall would deserve equal if not greater attention. An advisory group of citizens addressing the budget problem would provide a valuable perspective in addition to that of the city staff. It would also be better informed than random opinions expressed at public meetings. The Chico City Council should form an A-Team of non-city employees to work concurrently with staff on budget solutions. |
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CI Challenge: Can you guess what it is? Winner: Tovey, see comments below for the answer. |
I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
17 Comments
Lon
About Me: Fasten your seatbelts for an exhilarating trip through Chico's public policy; I guarantee it's marginally better than public access TV.
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Hey, I may be a frequent CI user, but I didn't win this Challenge yet!
Tempra,
I just assumed you'd win it. I'll fix that in case you don't. But I'm sure you will.
Lon
Inside the El Rey this time next year! Wait a minute...
Dorothy Chandler Auditorium?
its the Kodak Theater.
It's not the Dorothy Chandler Auditorium or the Kodak Theater.
Lon
can we get a hint? like... what continent is it on? is it a broadway theater? opera house?
Trevor,
No hints on this one, you'll have to use your melon to figure it out.
Lon
How about the Ford Amphitheatre in LA?
Gahhh no fair. grumble grumble no hints grumble.
Scratch the Ford Amphitheatre, that's an open air. How about the Palace Theatre in London where they play Les Miserables. It's been recently restored.
Trevor,
It's not the Ford or Palace.
Lon
Ok... I have two more guesses and then I am done.
1. The Senator back before it was a movie theater.
2. Her Majesty's Theatre in London.
Trevor,
nope,nope
Lon
on stage at Carnegie Hall.
Tovey,
You got it, it's Carnegie Hall from the stage.
Trevor,
I gave you a hint afterall with the "melon" comment (Carnegie Mellon).
Lon
aww.... tried everything but that one...
would never have caught the "melon" hint
well, tomorrows another day, and another ci challenge.