Stortz offers budget suggestions to city

To contact us Click HERE

Former Mayor William Stortz sent the following suggestions about the city budget to Mayor Art Ward and Finance Chairman Rich Miecznikowski to help begin the discussion of how the city can resolve  a looming multi-million dollar budget gap next year:

William Stortz

Mayor Ward, Chairman Miecznikowski,It is encouraging to hear that a more proactive effort willbe made to address Bristol’s shaky financial situation. I sincerely hope thatthere will be some meaningful follow through and action in this regard.Back on October 23, 2007, just before I left office, I wrotea memo to the then Board of Finance, with a copy to the then City Council,urging them to seriously consider the apparent deteriorating national economicsituation and to consider taking some action... Earlier I had asked mostdepartment heads to analyze what impact this less than rosy financial situationwould have on the city of Bristol, and the various departments. Their replieswere available to the BOF and Council. Councilman Ward and Chairman Rich, amongothers, received copies.This request was made because of the constant reporting invarious papers of concerns by many economists and business leaders. One hadonly to follow what was happening and being reported to be concerned. I feltthat it was not too early to look at the possible ramifications to Bristol,department by department.A similar situation is seemingly on the horizon; maybe notas bad, but in light of the fact that we have not fully recovered, we could befacing some tough times again.I mention this, not because I want to see it happen, butbecause I would hope that a strong effort would be made to address all of oursystemic problems so that we are not as unprepared as we were last time.With that in mind, I would like to make some suggestionsthat might help address the overall local problem. Admittedly some are not new,some are not of a large impact. But they all add up. Also, many can beimplemented right away, realizing immediate savings. Many can be implemented bymanagement; some may require discussion with the bargaining units. But, I canassure you that the bargaining units are willing to talk: in fact they do havesome meaningful ideas to offer.Remember, virtually all expenditures are approved by cityofficials, elected and/or appointed, and that the same goes for revenueprojections. Maybe that is one area that should be carefully scrutinized.First, we should have all departments prepare a descriptionof their department’s responsibilities, scope of involvement. Then have thisreviewed by the mayor and council to assure that there is agreement in what adepartment is charged with, what they have to budget for. May sound simplistic,but it will define their role,  while atthe same time provide a better understanding to the board of Finance and theCouncil as to who does what. I am sure it will be enlightening to many, maybeeven some department heads. It will be useful now and at future budget times.It will be helpful to those relatively new members, Council and BOF. At thesame time, it is a must if there is any consideration of privatization. I donot see how one can consider any effort at privatization without it, andcertainly would look askance at any firm that made any proposal without it.Maybe it has been done already, in that regard.Second, unless there have been some changes, the city doesnot monitor and control individual departments and line items by month. Isuggest that a system be implemented that required each department to projectmonthly expenditures (this can be done AFTER the budget is approved). Then asmonthly expenditures are recorded, a regular analysis would be easy, andprovide that months variation and year to date variation.While Bristol’s accounting system is somewhat archaic, thesystem I described above is relatively easy and inexpensive to implement. Itwould be better if it was part of the overall system, but that may take somemoney. This simplistic report could be easily made available for review.First, by requiring the department heads to budget by month,more thought would have to go into the process. Second, a history would be acquired, helpful in future reviews of thebudget .Third; redirection could take place sooner, as soon as each month isanalyzed. Full benefit would take some time, but would provide for a moreaccountable budget, and budget review process.Revenue. It is easy to get more revenue: just tax more, andcharge more fees. But that doesn’t improve the situation. Three thoughts: 1),expedite the booting process. This only affects those that fail to pay their cartaxes. The city has shown some leniency, but there are many, many, more outthere. 2) If it is against the law to have an out of state registered vehiclepast a certain time frame, enforce that law. Again, only affects those inviolation of the law. There are many, many out of state vehicles out there. 3)Work with the mayor and the legislators to address the issue that wouldpreclude a vehicle can being sold, or traded in, with taxes that are due notbeing paid. In reality those taxes are lost forever. There should be some wayto prevent this: the state should want to help develop a system to prevent thisfrom happening.  In reality, withoutbooting, one could avoid paying taxes indefinitely. Results might take sometime, but even the start of a system would result in some payments. This wouldaffect all municipalities, and would only affect those in arrears.Fourth: surrounding towns are reporting that they are takingin thousands of dollars per month in Blight Penalties.   There is way too much blight in Bristol. Bysetting stiff penalties and enforcing these penalties, Bristol could take insignificant revenue, AND clean up the city. Not a long term solution, but willhelp in the short term on both revenue and improving the city.As I said earlier there are other ways to increase revenue,but in most cases, it is just another form of taxation. Cost cutting andefficiencies should be looked at first. And you might get some interesting andworkable ideas if you would get the public involved AND spend some timelistening to the workers. I know that they have mentioned many ideas to me.I’ll list a number of possibilities, none with majorsavings, but none that will lay people off. They may result in reduced staffneeds over time. But all savings add up while efforts are made to implementthose that have bigger ramifications.1.       Bi weeklypaychecks
2.        Directdeposit of paychecks
3.       3.turn offone set of street lights on N. Main Street
4.       Eliminate orat least reduce use of aerator on Boulevard, and any other location.
5.       Reduce numberof extraneous committees, to eliminate need for staff overtime
6.       Reinstitutestudy to combine City building maintenance, started 5 years ago, and halted.Study may still be available.
7.       Review thestreet sweeping program. We no longer sand, so streets are not as dirty. Maybea smaller sweeper might be less expensive and still the job. Also, do allstreets have to be swept?
8.       Review cashflow process. Do we deposit so as to get the maximum return?
9.       ReviewPurchasing policy. Could we do better in any way? Are there adequate controlsand reviews?
10.   Require 5-7 yearanalysis of all new expenditures/projects. Will the city be committed tomaintain, repair etc.?
11.    ReviewInvestment policies. Are we getting maximum return?
12.    Look at theplanned and or guaranteed overtime. While this item must be negotiated, there are opportunities forreductions.
13.    ConsolidateEmergency Management and The Hazardous Waste position under Police and Fire.Would reduce cost and provide a better service.
14.   Look atelimination of Perfect Attendance rewards.
15.   Eliminate anyrental of space by the city, wherever possible.
I know that many of these are minor, but if implemented,would add to a significant amount.I agree that larger savings are needed, but in most cases,will take time. Any implementation of savings, when made known, will helpcreate a positive attitude among the citizens, and will probably provide morepositive suggestions.There are many others, some which will requirenegotiations.  The bargaining units haveto be included in the process and will certainly consider giving up some of thefluff benefits. Get them involved in the process.Lastly, I would again point out that virtually all spendingdecisions are made by you the city officials, elected and appointed, and thatmost decisions have a budgetary impact beyond the immediate year. That seems tobe forgotten, but it does create ongoing costs which have to be met.I may come up with some additional thoughts, as ideas comefrom many people during conversations. I will pass them on, for as a taxpayer,as someone who has a great appreciation for what Bristol is, and one who hasbeen involved for many years, I do want to see this effort move forward. Wecannot afford not to be successful: our future and the future of our childrendepend on it.
The first meeting of the city's new budget task force is at 5:15 p.m. today in the City Council chambers on the first floor of City Hall.
Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com