The CIP resolution that the Council passed at our last meeting has been covered in the press and has generated some interest – I've had a few folks call and ask about it. For those that missed it, the resolution creates a process by which the Schools and the City will embark on a joint CIP planning process. It's a shade unusual: mostly school boards and City Councils squabble over money and control, not work collaboratively on big ticket problems. Some view the entire affair with some suspicion, thinking that the Council doesn't trust the schools or that we're tyring to "run the schools".
To those that believe the Council is somehow scheming to gain control of the Schools I ask the following: how much time do you think we have? Get real. I can't speak for the other Council members but I'll tell you what I believe: I wouldn't have voted to pass such a beast if I didn't trust the Schools to be involved in the process. Is the school CIP a little less "firm" than the City's? Possibly, but I also have confidence that they'll get it sorted and we'll go from there. Another crucial point is that this process potentially allows the Schools unprecedented involvement in the City CIP process.
What that means in plain language is that a scenario exists where the community as a whole (which is what this is all about) decides that an improvement in school infrastructure is more important than a City project, the City project could get delayed. The reverse or some combination could also be true. The point is that everyone is in the room and we can make the best decision possible.
See, In a traditional CIP process, the schools would get their share of the tax dollars to run the schools and if they don't have enough money to do what they want, well, that's tough beans. While I agree with those that point out that the schools per capita cost is high, I also believe that we're just too small a jurisdiciton to do this kind of planning at this very important point in our collective history to take the tradtional approach. We have hard decisions to make and they can't be made in "silos".
On the City side, the Finance Committee will be the designated body to start this work. The schools have elected for a committee of the whole. I'm not sure any of that is a big deal as we'll probably start out with a few meetings on each side and then some joint meetings. Eventually both bodies will get together and sort out a final decision.
In any event, the staff will have a fair amount of work to do in analyzing revenues, debt capacity, debt retirement schedules, etc, etc. We need to figure out what money we have, what we're going to do and how to pay for it….and we need to move with some alacrity. The clock is ticking.
August 19, 2012 at 1:50 pm
I for one support the resolution and, to take it one step farther, fully support a City-Wide Consolidated CIP maintained by Community Development Staff. For operational/budget purposes, the School Board would manage their portion, but the overall management and maintenance would be with City Staff. There are several factors why "there should only be one" –
1. The City Council, not the School Board, has the statutory authority for the Comprehensive Plan, and for all matters within our little 10 square miles. Yes, there should be a partnership with the School Board as an elected body; however, the overall responsibility for funds collected in this City (RE Taxes, etc etc) rest on the Council and any contracts or agreements are made and approved by the Council on behalf of us Citizens.
2. The School Board, as part of that partnership, has the responsibility to provide input to the Comp Plan, and ensure they are indentifying/articulating concerns/impacts/vision in that Plan.
3. The CIP is an extension of the Comp Plan laying out how this City "will go" (for lack of a better phrase). The CIP is the extension because it lays out future identified facilities or other infrastructure within the boundries. As such, to be a true planning document, it should include in its standard format ALL such items for proper planning and implementation when funding or the location for a facility is available.
4. Historically, the School CIP has in my opinion not been properly maintained. Look at the issues around one, single elementary school which has flipped in and out of priority. The MCPS Staff does not have the expertise for maintaining such a document as we have in our City Staff amongst the Planners in Community Development and over at Public Works.
5. A consolidated CIP also provides the means for all the planners to – when time permits – draw up the proper documents for when a new School facility is programmed. This way, all infrastructure needs (roads, water, sewer, electrical, etc.) are identified so the Council is better prepared in forecasting such things as possible expansion in water treatment plant.
6. Now a hypothetical scenario: A consolidated CIP is done. The owner of the Strip Mall over by GTS decides instead of redevelopment for business purposes, to give the City first rights to the sale of it. Perfect location on a main road, large acrerage, utilities in place – and could be used for new school or other City need. The consolidated CIP allows for evaluation of the property to see what would "fit", and give the planners/engineers a shot at evaluating if there is the need for expansion of infrastructure. Just a thought.
The City only has so much ground left to build on as we cannot build out. Several of the still available land such as the Gateway by the airport are better suited for commercial development vs. locating a local government facility (with the exception say of a new fire station to support the airport). Overall management of the City rests with the Council, and not the School Board, and as I note above, I am all for a consolidated CIP in the same format.
August 20, 2012 at 8:51 am
And that, Ray, is a hell of an answer.
August 20, 2012 at 10:15 am
LOL! Did you expect less when tossing out a topic which brings my ponderings to your pages? 🙂
August 21, 2012 at 5:48 pm
What Ray said. I just know the CIP is clear and easy to read. The schools' documents aren't. The things on the CIP get done. The schools….don't seem to. Things are looking up. Love the resolution, love the changes.