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FY 2016 Budget Critique
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Each year following completion of the budget, commissioners give staff feedback on how the process and document could be improved.
Last year commissioners did not give staff any areas for improvement of the process or document.
Commissioners adopted the attached calendar for preparation of the FY 2015-2016 budget. In addition to the dates shown on the calendar, staff met one-on-one with commissioners to review the recommended budget immediately prior to submission.
At their budget retreat Commissioners set goals that guided development of the FY 2015-2016 budget. They developed the overarching vision that Chatham County is a thriving community with healthy people, a safe environment, and prosperity for all, as shown in the budget document (see Budget message, page 3). The goal setting process included a survey prior to the retreat that identified existing goals and asked for feedback to determine which existing goals had unanimous agreement, which goals commissioners wanted to revisit, and proposals for new goals. From a staff perspective, this process worked well in that it allowed us to produce a draft set of goals that could be modified during the retreat. If this process is not effective from the board’s perspective, you may want to consider a facilitator for the goal-setting portion of the retreat.
Discussion and Analysis:
Staff requests feedback on:
Budget Retreat
• Was the goal-setting process helpful and should it be repeated or modified?
• Information distributed for consideration during the retreat is attached. Is there additional information that would make the next retreat more effective? Is there any information that is not necessary?
• Is the Heads Up document (attached) produced before the retreat effective in informing Commissioner priorities? Could this document be improved?
Document
• Are the Recommended Budget and CIP documents effective for board decision making?
• Are the department work plans in the Recommended Budget document effective for informing commissioner decisions? Department goals, objectives and work plans are necessary to meet GFOA requirements.
• Are there additional changes that the Commissioners would like to see in Fiscal 2017?
Process
• Was the calendar that was followed effective?
• Are there additional changes that the Commissioners think would make the process more effective and efficient?
• Several issues were raised during the budget work sessions. Staff is working to research these issues and present recommendations at the budget retreat: We will also ask you to confirm these are the issues you would like us to address: 1) extended library hours and use of the bookmobile; 2) bringing recycling center staff in-house to ensure a working wage, and 3) affordable housing. This item was prioritized, and staff is working on a recommendation to be presented early in Fiscal 2016.