HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 17, 2010 J-08AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
M
AGENDA TITLE: Consider Disbandment of Budget and Finance Committee
MEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
November 17,2010
City Clerk
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Consider disbandment of Budget and Finance Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the request of the Mayor and Chair of the Budget and Finance
Committee, this item was brought forward for Council consideration.
A seven -member Budget and Finance Committee was created in
2005 to advise the City Manager and City Council on finance -related topics. Since that time, the
Committee was reduced to five members. Currently the Committee has only two members remaining.
Since its inception, the Committee has had difficulty retaining membership and filling vacancies. During
the last year alone, four members resigned at various times, some serving less than a few months.
Vacancies were posted for the initial 30 -day period four times. Vacancies were reposted for an additional
30 -day period four times. And, twice vacancies were posted as "open until filled" with an indefinite
application period. In addition, there has been discussion since the Committee's formation regarding the
purpose of the Committee. For the above -referenced reasons, it is requested that the City Council
consider disbandment of the Budget and Finance Committee if deemed appropriate.
FISCAL IMPACT: Monthly cost savings by way of staff time of approximately 10-15 hours.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not Applicable.
Randi q Ierk
APPROVED:
Kdtbartlam, Interim City Manager
John Beckman
2058 Incline Drive
Lodi, CA 95242
November 17,2010
Mayor Phil Katzakian
City of Lodi
221 W. Pine St.
Lodi, CA 95240.
RE: Lodi Budget and Finance Committee
Mayor Katzakian,
I am saddened to see the Council is consideringthe disbandment ofthe Lodi Budget and Finance
Committee. Far more troubling to me are the comments of former members of this committee
who express frustration from their experience on this committee. Based on the comments from
these former members it appears the committee was never allowed broad discretionto analyze
and review the fir> operations of the City. Furthermore, based on these comments it appears
the committee was never given a role to play in the budgeting process of the City. Shouldthe
Council choose to eliminate this committee it will be a lost opportunityto improve the
relationshipbetween citizens and City government and a lost opportunity for the Council to have
assistance in their duty to oversee the finances of the City.
Several »- I I : ago when I learned there was an opening on the Budget and Finance Committee I
submitted my application for appointment to the committee. I would like to again offer my
service to the City and request appointment to the Budget and Finance Committee.
I also ask that you keep the Budget and Finance Committee with the intent of incorporatingthis
group of citizen volunteers into the early budgeting process and give than a Iegitimate role in the
review of city finances.
As a suggestion, the Committeecould receive preliminary department budgets and offered a brief
presentation from each department prior to the Shirtsleeve sessions where this information is
presented to Council. The comments from the Budget and Finance Committeewould then be
incorporated into the presentations to Council. Another suggestion could be for the Committeeto
make an annual report to the City regarding the financial operations of the City based on the work
of the committee in reviewing operations of individual departments.
Potentially these two activities of the Committee could offer additional cost saving measures,
recommendations for improvements, fresh ideas orjust additional affirmation that the City is
utilizing its resources efficiently.
ThJ!
you for your consideration,
John R. Beckman