The budget takes the vast majority of the City Council’s time and calendar throughout the year. Whether it is the budget process proper or the various Finance Committee meetings it sucks down the most time. As Cindy indicated in a previous thread: “I’m listening, Rich. Just didn’t want to admit the last budget work session I went to I only lasted a few hours while everyone else went until 1 am.” it can be tough to stay involved throughout the entire process. It’s tough for Council to do it but that’s part of it.
So, if a citizen has a limited amount of time but wants to find out what’s going on what should they do? Well, my advice would be to look at two things: the forecast (which we’re talking about on Monday) and the Manager’s budget. These two items will give you the most accurate indicator of what direction things are going. The final Council budget typically looks a lot like those two documents and you’ll get a good snapshot of the situation without sitting into a meeting until 1:00am. It is also best for Council to hear from our citizens early in the process. If folks really believe we’re going down the wrong road, it’s easier to make significant changes in January than it is in April…
On a related note, some of my buddies who are more management-oriented chide me with “figuring out where to spend every cent isn’t leadership. It’s management.” and they’re right. I think all local government types struggle with staying out of the weeds. Based on what I see I think more fail to stay out of the weeds (especially in smaller jurisdictions) and it hurts their locality. Why hire a City Manager or County Exec if the elected body is going to be involved every minute? Like most things, there is a fine balance. However, If I don’t indicate how I think Manassas does, it’ll be the first question in the comments so I’ll say this about my own personal performance: I think I wobble accross that line in both directions from time to time although rarely with much velocity.
October 15, 2010 at 5:39 am
I just love all those wonkers who say getting you hands into the weeds is management, and forget that management is an aspect of leadership. Have to be a leader in order to manage.
management…from the latin word “manus” meaning hands.
For which all those various gurus like Covey make big money by saying “hands-on” leadership.
Can’t though mix the apples and oranges of a City Leadership versus County Leadership. By design, with a Mayor & City Manager, the Council acts as both an interrogatory body, and the “check & balancers”. This is true across most Cities.
Not so in most Counties as they have split personalities. In theroy, PWC is a County Executive form of government under the Code. The CXO should lead & manage, with the BOCS acting like our City Council, and also raising specifcs within their managerial districts. Opposite has evolved to where PWC operates first as a Board, CXO second.
At least in this old Sarge’s view 🙂
October 15, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Leadership….the ability to make the tough call even when the dogs are nipping at your heals.
That Scenario B is one of those where leadership has to come through! Management may say a flat average residential rate is good, but leadership says we can’t take the cut!
October 15, 2010 at 9:20 pm
OHS – 24
Battlefield – 21
OHS is 8-0!
A real nail-biter. The Eagles came back from
adversity several times against a really good team.
October 15, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Steve, the best part of the game is the husband & wife principals – opposing schools. Adds a little humorous color to this particular game!