On Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 the Finance Committe for the Town of Christiansburg held its first meeting on the new budget. The Town Manager and Assistant Manager had prepared a document (I assume based upon the request of department heads) containing a list of proposed budgetary expenses categorized by department and providing a general description of each expense. (This is precisely the type of information I had expected to find on the "Pay the Bills" sheets presented to the Town Council each month.
VIDEO OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING It was noted that Mr. Terpenny (Town Manager) and Mr. Helms (Assn't Town Manger) had worked to compile a list of only the most necessary of items and that had been trimmed down even further, as noted by several items being lined out.
You can see this document on my website. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A WORKING DOCUMENT, THIS IS NOT THE FINAL OR PROPOSED BUDGET!!!
Each and every item was discussed with Council Members Ann Carter and Michael Barber asking questions. The Mayor was also at the table and gave some input. Mr. Helms brought with him a large packet of files and referred to them in answering the questions that warranted more details. Questions focused on the necessity of expenses and I find the answers provided to be complete and phrased in terms that were easy to understand.
Although only a first meeting, the materials that I saw did not contain much fat. A position for an IT Technician is well warranted if you look through the Pay the Bills Summary report and find the companies that have been providing IT support to the town. It is likely that having a person in that position will likely save the Town money in the first year!
The position for another Planner is necessary as Mr. Terpenny (Town Manager) reported he would be turning over all duties as Zoning, Subdivision , and Sign Ordinance Administrators are being turned over to the current Director of Planning, Randy Wingfield. It was noted by Mr. Helms that the Town of Christiansburg's Planning Department has from 1/5 to 1/2 the number of staff that similar sized jurisdictions have. (Perhaps this will mean that Staff Analysis Reports are on the horizon? That would be a tremendous asset to the Planning Commission and the Town Council for future land use decisions.)
I could go on at some length concerning my observations and opinions about this meeting. Perhaps the best thing would be if you look and form your own opinions. I think you will be impressed with some of the tough issues that were addressed and how elected and appointed officials dealt with them.
Having been one of the few citizens to attend the one meeting on the budget last year, I must say I think this meeting was great! There was a concentrated effort to make sure that needs were met and systems were adequately maintained to allow for future growth, while striving diligently to make sure that taxes did not need to be increased.
However, I'm not an expert in finance by any means. In fact, I only have that one previous meeting with which to compare anything. The Town Charter and Code specify that department heads report to Town Manager and the Town Manager then presents a budget to the Town Council. So, a lot of the detailed work, the sorting and sifting out of 'earmarks' and 'pork barrel projects' was done by the Town Manager and Assn't. Town Manager before the Committee ever saw the draft budget paper. I am sure there are people out there who think that some of the stuff that was cut out during that process should still be in there, but that's the way things work. Request for items have to be prioritized. That process is all the more important in the current economic climate when it will be MUCH harder to project revenues with less revenue coming in from sales, lodging, and meals.
I feel that I learned a lot today. I hope you get a chance to watch the video and give me your opinions.