Our Opinion: Mixed bag of proposed changes to budget process

News Tribune editorial

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Jefferson City budget discussions this year produced not only a document, but possible changes to the process.

The City Council was scheduled to act on a proposed $31 million budget Monday night.

But the series of budget meetings that ended recently also yielded proposed changes from both City Administrator Nathan Nickolaus and a number of council members.

Budgeting in lean times — similar to what city officials recently experienced — are more likely to cause frustration and, consequently, prompt calls for change. In contrast, when governments are flush with revenues, budgeting typically is more simple and more satisfying.

The standard procedure of trimming budgetary fat is among the frustrations voiced by Nickolaus.

“The stuff that’s in the budget,” he said, “is the product of 100 years of councils working on the budget, and every council every year goes through and looks for fat to trim. After 150 years, there’s just not much fat left.”

As an alternative, Nickolaus favors decision packages — which is government-speak for focusing on value and cost of city services, rather than on departments and employees.

We believe this change is worth a try, if for no other reason than it requires elected officials to examine existing programs on the basis of merit and cost.

We also favor a suggestion to update the council regularly on budgetary matters. The concept of quarterly reports was advanced by Shawn Schulte, 2nd Ward council member and finance committee chairman.

We agree that providing more information on a more regular basis empowers council members to make sound decisions not only at budget time, but throughout the year.

We are less supportive of Nickolaus’ complaint that the council engaged “in a level of micro-management that the council has never done before.”

We concur with the concept that council members are elected to set policy, not micro-manage departments, but the council is empowered and obligated by the City Charter to review and approve the city budget.

We believe council members are authorized and should be encouraged to be as meticulous as possible in fulfilling that obligation.

More like this story

JCLifer 8 months ago

They need to implement zero-based budgeting methodology. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-based_budgeting

The state and nearly every university drives its maintenance vehicles into the ground until they rust away. Jefferson City has all brand new maintenance vehicles that are seen cruising high street all day long. How can we taxpayers afford these very expensive vehicles and the fuel to run them all day empty with just one or two employees riding in them?

asb 8 months ago

When Mr. Nicholas suggests that the fat has been trimmed for 150 years, and forgets to mention how long it's been added to, he's being disingenous. I know it's not fun to have unprofessional accountants "micro-manage," but Nate, it is their primary responsibility, and if it irks ya, go away. It seems to me that this city council has done a very good job of managing this responsibility.

JCLifer 8 months ago

Mr. Nicholas is not an accountant. He has no budgetary experience. How would he know?

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