City manager says government can’t offer ‘everything to everyone’ anymore
An ongoing, comprehensive study designed to help Benicia get back on firmer fiscal footing so it can withstand future economic upheavals has shown that the city can’t provide “everything to everyone” at the level it has in the past, City Manager Brad Kilger and Assistant City Manager Anne Cardwell learned.
In a Dec. 30 report to be presented Tuesday to the City Council, Cardwell and Kilger wrote that city government is being studied to find more efficient and sustainable ways of providing services.
In addition, they said, the Council needs to consider changing how it handles strategic planning, and to increase the amount of money being spent on this fiscal project.
Currently, the city’s Strategic Plan is updated every two years, coinciding with the adoption of Benicia’s two-year budget. That plan “provides a basic mission and vision, and guiding principles,” Kilger and Cardwell wrote — but it currently doesn’t provide a “comprehensive long-range blueprint for the city and organization.”
The Strategic Plan contains programs and projects designed to meet short-term objectives, they wrote. Now city employees are recommending five-year Strategic Plans that would be “consistent with the city’s vision for the community but also its available resources.”
The lengthier plan, they wrote, would help the city be “more proactive” in tackling long-term issues, they explained.
The citywide scan, still under way, is part of the multi-phased development of a program for municipal fiscal stability.
“As the 10-year General Fund forecast illustrates, there is a need to invest in infrastructure, recognize efficiencies where possible, and increase revenue in order to address projected long-term revenue shortfalls,” they wrote.
There are several components of the citywide scan, they wrote, the first of three phases of developing Benicia’s Sustainable Community Services Strategy.
Part of the project has been delayed because of turnover in several key city positions. The city has had four finance directors, two on an interim basis, since Rob Sousa retired in 2011, in addition to having to search for a new police chief and public works director, among other posts.
Besides turnovers, the scan has been delayed because additional analyses are needed, they wrote.
Among the finished parts are identifying critical but unmet needs of the city’s departments; finding other ways to deliver services; determining how departments can improve their operations efficiency, including how to recover more of their costs; and letting staff participate in the scan and help by clarifying some of the data the study has produced.
In addition, the city’s management team reviewed the study’s initial findings Aug. 21, 2014.
A draft of the scan report should be done this month. After staff review, it will be presented to the Council on March 24.
Kilger and Cardwell wrote that they also have been looking at the most essential city services.
“A municipal government is obligated to carry out certain corporate functions regardless of the numbers or levels of services provided,” they wrote. “For instance, legal human resources, financial management and policy services must be provided.
“Having safe streets, utilities and facilities are also fundamental. Providing for the safety of the community, both from police and fire and from building inspections and planning are also core,” they wrote.
“The question of which services are ‘core’ versus ‘non-core’ is a conversation that will need to occur both at the staff and the policy level once the organizational scan is complete.”
Kilger and Cardwel defined core services as those that meet one or more of six criteria:
• Needed to carry out the day-to-day work of the city;
• Needed for a fully-functioning government;
• Needed to prevent future problems or higher costs;
• Needed to provide revenue that covers a service’s costs;
• Needed for support of other departments and functions;
• Needed to comply with laws and regulations.
Non-core services are those that don’t meet the definition of “core,” or are considered “extra” services or are those other cities have discontinued in the last few years, they wrote.
The two wrote that non-core services aren’t necessarily less important. They explained that “everything being provided through the city to residents is valued by someone or some group within the community.
“However, with the long list of critical unmet needs identified (and currently being refined as part of the scan), refocusing the city’s attention on the ‘fundamentals’ or core services will be important to increasing efficiency of the use of limited resources,” they wrote.
Part of the overall effort to eliminate the city’s structural financial deficits is to improve performance measures, Kilger and Cardwell wrote. “These are the measurements of service provided and are focused on workload.”
They cited as examples the number of people served, park acreage maintained, streets and lights maintained and calls for service. Such information would be used to describe the level at which a service is provided and how many customers there are for that service, they wrote.
This summer, the city will convene community meetings so the public can talk about the city’s financial outlook and the results of the scan.
Those meetings will give the public another chance to talk about Benicia’s 10-year economic forecast and the budget’s revenue and expenditure risks; the services provided by the city; and what is required to maintain a full-service city.
Residents also can use those meetings to say what is important to them and how they want their tax dollars spent, as well as what services they’re willing to have reduced.
The meetings will give residents a chance to participate in an exercise in allocating a limited set of resources, talk about the choices they made and learn the impacts of those decisions.
By fall or winter, city employees expect to have prepared Benicia’s Sustainable Community Services Strategy, based on the information received from both the city-wide scan and the public meetings.
That document will list the services residents said they wanted in the long term, and the money required to provide those services, Kilger and Cardwell wrote, a document that will guide the Council in its future planning as well as in making budget allocations.
The Council will be asked Tuesday to accept the report’s recommendations, to add $59,900 to its contract with Management Partners, the contractor aiding the city in developing the Community Services Strategy, and to establish a calendar of Finance Committee meetings for monitoring progress in developing the strategy, including a presentation June 2 of the final 2015-17 budget.
The Council will meet in a closed session at 6 p.m. Tuesday to discuss labor and personnel matters. The regular meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 250 East L St.
Sharing is caring!
Glad to see that the city is tackling the difficult process of prioritization. The concepts of “core” and “non-core” can be very useful, but also very controversial. As was stated above, each service is supported by someone. It seems like we are on a path where the city will say, “No”, to some constituents. When this happens it will feel like a take-away and people will be very vocal. The city will need to remain strong and resolved in implementing its decisions.
I would suggest that the definition of core services needs some refinement. The list above is very broad and nebulous. I would suggest the following definition of core:
1) Public Safety – Police and Fire
2) Infrastructure that supports public safety and economic vitality – roads, street lighting, traffic controls, water and sewer
3) Investing in our kids – schools
What are the non-core services that I suggest eliminating:
1) Bus service
2) Bike lanes
3) Alternative energy projects
4) Environmental sustainability
5) Economic Development Board
6) Historical Preservation and Planning Commission
We will be better served by less government that is focused on core services, with lower taxes due to the elimination of non-core services.
Very good Tom. I do believe you will see the council with ,the exception of the Mayor would agree. The only item that mght get council support is Econ Dev. I assume you mean the board not Econ Dev per say. Very good, The first five items will drive the Mayor and her small group crazy.
“The first five items will drive the Mayor and her small group crazy.”
Why the ad-nauseum comments revealing your shallow priorities? Always with the the spiteful digs. More than just my opinion, pure fact.
“Residents also can use those meetings to say what is important to them and how they want their tax dollars spent, as well as what services they’re willing to have reduced.”
I thought the whole idea of measure C was to increase tax revenue to sustain the quality of life. Now they are saying even with the new tax revenue, it still can not be done and we have to cut back. What a bill of goods we were sold. I for one saw it coming a mile away.
I also agree with Tom. I don’t use the bus service. Never have.
I don’t use the bike lanes because too many people these days I see texting while driving. It is no longer safe to share the roads with cars.
Alternative energy projects are a waste of time. Let the technologies be made substantive first before even considering them to be implemented. Wind is inconsistent and the cost of storing energy is prohibitive. Solar is still not viable in that all of the businesses pushing it need the help of government subsidy.
Environmental sustainability is a myth. It is a joke and it a total waste of tax payer money.
I don’t know all too well about the Economic development board. Can they be effective with he current zoning laws and cronies we have in the permitting process? It is horribly difficult to start a business in this town. That is not economic development. And we hear over and over again that tax revenue from business is down. It is down because the city does everything they can to thwart it.
It all just sounds like more bureaucracy to me.
JLB –
Great point about Measure C being sold as a complete budget deficit solution only to be diminished to the ranks of a partial solution after passage.
I wonder what it would take to create a ballot initiative to rescind Measure C based on false pretenses and promises.
I understand the concern about measure C. It was never sold on false pretences or promises.
Bob, you are wrong. It was presented and sold as a quality of life issue that would allow Benicia to remain a full service city. Then, slmost immediately after it passed we were told that it is going to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to track the funds since they will go into the general fund. We also were told, after the election, that this would not solve the problems and that we will still have to look at cuts in services.
not wrong
Bob,
Below are a few quotes from letters issued by the City Manager and the City Council regarding Measure C before the election.
“Maintaining Benicia’s financial viability as a full-service city and protecting our small-town quality of life is the key purpose of Measure C. This measure will improve public safety and city streets, maintain parks and trim trees, and fund programs to support our historic downtown and community events, as well as attract new businesses.”
“Additionally, Measure C will address the many streets in Benicia with cracked or buckled sidewalks or no sidewalks at all, as well as the many roads with potholes. Funding is needed to address these conditions and maintain 94 miles of city streets and roads for motorists, pedestrians, buses, cyclists and police and fire safety vehicles. Measure C will also ensure that our 31 local parks are properly maintained as safe spaces for children to play and families to visit.”
” While we may not always agree on certain policies or decisions, we are united in our resolve to work toward maintaining, and where possible enhancing, our quality of life. ”
“Therefore, as a community we are presented with a choice of either further reducing expenditures, which means reducing the level and amount of city services enjoyed by the community, or seeking new revenue that is locally generated and locally controlled, and that cannot be taken by the state. Faced with this choice, our preference is to take action that will help maintain Benicia’s financial viability as a full-service city and protect our small-town quality of life — and that choice is Measure C.”
These quotes sure as hell indicate that Measure C would continue the quality of life. Then, I give you the following quotation AFTER the election:
“Measure C won’t solve problems,” Kilger told the committee Nov. 20. “We have long-term issues.”
This was not how Measure C was presented. Add this to the fact that the money will go into the general fund and can be spent on anything with no accountability.
While I agree with your comment on the benefits etc, your constantly bringing it up dilute your message. Yes, $8,000 in savings would be nice but it alone won’t pay for a damn thing. Your vendetta is growing tiresome to this person who actually believes in quite a bit of what you say.
Thanks John. Buit someone must bring attention to what agenda driven ideals are all about. I have no vendetta just an issue with ideals and have stated so many ,times. You at least understand what I am saying. I will continue to go after agenda driven ideals that are not in ,the best interest of the city. I hate to sday this most residents do not even pay attention. MCE is a very good example. Take a look at who has commented on this article. Five people and four of us many times. So as you see we all may be speaking to the moon. I have always agreed with you and the other two on issues concerning the city. I ALSO BE
Thanks John. remember aftwer two years the money ,which is and will ber part of ,the city budget is not controlled by the City Manager. The council did agrere on the first tyweo years of spending. After that is will up to the council on how that money is spent. With ,the tright council it ,will ,be ,spent as intented. Remember my reminding the residents of agenda ,driven ideals is what ,we are talking a bout after tweo years. If it sounds like a vendettA
Sorry for typos. See redo.
Good comment, John.
It does appear that mist agree that measure C was a good measure. The City council layed out a two year plan that will be followed. It hAD A lot to do with infrastructure. After that it will be up to the city Council on how that money will be spent. City Council has final approval ,on the Budget. A string City Manager working closely with the Finance Director can give City Council the whole picture on the budget and make recommendations. Measure C was all about quality of life and agenda driven ideals. John the reason I always bring the $8,000 up is because it is part of a much bigger const. Sopmewhere betwqeen $40/$50,000 dalors mot just eight thou. Wer expect leaders to address thesaer issues and put them as agenda items to be discussed. Never hasd been put on the agenda and never discussed. So I will not lety up. I do hope Council membetr StrAW
It does appear that most agree that measure C was a good measure. The City council layed out a two year plan that will be followed. It had a lot to do with infrastructure. After that it will be up to the city Council on how that money will be spent. City Council has final approval ,on the Budget. A strong City Manager working closely with the Finance Director can give City Council the whole picture on the budget and make recommendations. Measure C was all about quality of life and not agenda driven ideals. John the reason I always bring the $8,000 up is because it is part of a much bigger cost. Somewhere between $40/$50,000 dollars not just eight thou. We expect leaders to address these issues and put them as agenda items to be discussed during budget meetings. Never has been put on the agenda and never discussed. No vendetta or revenge intended at all just smart policy. So I will not let up. I do hope Council member Strawbridge does put it on the agenda for public discussion.. You may find out a lot about your council members you did not know. Council member Strawbrige is the only council member that does not take benefits or salary. The agenda item should only be about benefits. Now $40/$50,000 yearly is not chicken feed. The City Manager works under the direction of the City Councvil so as you can see an agenda driven leader and council can change how money is spent and not as intended. This City Manager will do his best to present a sound budget and lets hope the couincil approves it. He is on ,the residents side.
Measure “C” was never told to us that is was the complete fix. No bill of goods. First two years is for infrastructure. Then we will see. It was never intended to make this City money flush.
Then why were they calling it the quality of life bill. That is how they were selling it. It was in all the flyers. Help us maintain the quality of life we have grown accustomed to living here in Benicia.
If it was not sold as a complete fix, it was never stated that it was not a complete fix. It was sold as “keep Benicia the way that it is, maintaining our quality of life”. And they cited, police, fire, infrastructure, parks, etc. They made it sound all inclusive and never said anything contrary. It was typical government double spin. That is why I didn’t vote for it because I knew it was a bunch of crap!
Because quality of life is very high in this city. We as residents want all the services and you will now get them. Remember this was not about bus stops or bicycle paths etc.. It was about fire, safety, parks, library etc. Al,l quality of life. This is all about planning and making sure the money is spent on quality of life. Doesdanyone want the Library hours reduced? i think not. Does anyone want the police to not look at your house when you are gone by ,request. They come out and do a walk around when your gone.. Do you want that cut. Are there things that ,can be cut? Yes. One is healthcare and other benefits for the city council. The Mayor gets a bout $8,000 a year in benefits. Put your input where it will do the most good. That is not a quality of life issue, stop it. I do believe all you ,are now catching on to the CSC and the Mayor. This city Manager is on your side..
Volunteers do the house checks for the city PD.
That is true but without a City Police Dept with strong local support it mighht no happen. Local meansd a lot.
Before getting rid of the bus service, I would like to see ridership numbers before and after combining our service with SolTrans as well as the construction of the two intermodal facilities. I would also like to see a forecast of the ridership forvthe new bus stop in the industrial park.
John –
Those are great points. I applaud the city council for gathering citizen input for the difficult decisions ahead. If done well that will provide insight into how citizens value these services.
I would love to see an accurate accounting of how much we, the Benicia taxpayers, have spent on all of these “million dollar bus stops”!
I would also appreciate an explanation as to why it makes sense to cede local control to regional bodies. If we, Benicia, desire an intermodal transit facility in the Benicia Industrial Park, why is Benicia doing all of the work only to have SolTrans as the agency that will claim the land under eminent domain? Why wouldn’t Benicia want to maintain control?
Why are we spending money on these boondoggles after having cut city employees pay and benefits and then raising taxes?
I say that the city has more than enough revenue. It is past time to cut spending. But let’s do it intelligently. Through prioritizaton. Police and Fire first. Economically sound infrastructure investment, and education for all of our, Benicia residents, kids.
What would you cut John? Or how much more are you willing to personally pay in taxes and fees?
Tom, I happen to agree with your stance 100%. We were sold a load of bull crap on the sales tax, but being mindless lemmings, of course we voted for it. One of the arguements was that we were a full service city. A question I have is, has there ever been a study on what the impact of combining services with another city done? If it works for replacing PG&E why wouldn’t it work for other departments? The sad part is that this is how government is moving. No cost growth control, instead, cut services so the local communities, aka taxpayers, step up to take that service over. Remember state park closures?
I can’t wait for February to roll around so that I can opt out of MCE.
Me too, just like I opted out of PG&E smart meters. Too much control for my taste!
” “
Benicia is different than most other cities. We do have our own City Attorney and Fire Dept. We could farm out the City Attorney, I would not reccommend that. Fire Dept tp the County coul;d be a good move. Police to the Sherrif Dept. Not a good move. It is important to keep Benicia as it is. Measure C is going to insure that. Remember the residents will have a voice in this. Take a look at the core elements. It does cover a lot.
Let us not forget we also got “yet another” school band of spending in recent times too. So we got school funding and measure C. With government and their spending habits and rituals, there is never enough.
As was said before and I have said it repeatedly here too, revenue is not the problem. Spending is the problem; starting with the inflated salaries of our city employees that are at levels commensurate with cities three to four times our size.
I respect all the folks that comment. But at the same time we must think about what we want this city to be. We like parks, fire, police, safety, repaired streets, etc. This City Manager has done a good job on spending, lets not forget that. g Staff cut of 10%, salary/benefit cuts of 10%, new retirement plan for new hire, healthcatre cuts drsamaticly plus many other cuts that you may not6 see. One is total budget fvrom about 36mil to about 31mil, salary/benefit costs cut frim 75% to less tyhan 69% of budget. If that is not less spending just what is it. MeASure C was the right thing to do and it does have a two year in place plan. Just remember who you votwe for in 2016.
I respect all the folks that comment. But at the same time we must think about what we want this city to be. We like parks, fire, police, safety, repaired streets, etc. This City Manager has done a good job on spending, lets not forget that. Give him the credit he deserves. Staff cut of 10%, salary/benefit cuts of 10%, new retirement plan for new hire, healthcare cuts dramaticly plus many other cuts that you may not notice.. One is total budget from about 36mil to about 31mil, salary/benefit costs cut frim 75% to less than 68% of budget. If that is not less spending just what is it. Also remember this city and all other cities were hit with a huge CalPers contribution that is not going away. Try 2mil per year.. The city made the right move on the new retirement plan. Results are not at once but will be fazed in over the next ten years or so. This city has done the right thing. Measure C was the right thing to do and it does have a two year in place plan. I do know a little about this city and its finances. Just remember who you vote for in 2016.