Some people believe that CBAC members are wasting their time and the Council will not listen to their recommencations. While we have no authority, when the Council reviews the budget, they do listen to what the CBAC has suggested. We try to bring as many voices to the table as you will allow through your participation. We have no agenda other than being taxpayers with a vested interested in the outcome of the budget.
Here are some recommendations the CBAC made to the Council over the past two years which were implemented. In many cases the ideas were not soley those of the CBAC, but mirrored those of the Council. It was validation to the Council of the thoughts and wishes of the taxpayers.
- Create quantifiable deparmental goals to measure success (The Council is asking all departments to present these measures in their 2011 budget deliberations)
- Move Dudley House off the tax role (Dudley House is no longer being paid for by taxpayers dollars. It is being run by a non-profit)
- Continue the CBAC as a voice of the people (this is the third successive year the CBAC has been in place)
- Reduce 911 overtime (the city is moving toward putting civilians in the dispatch unit rather than using higher cost employees. This move will greatly reduce the overtime cost, which in turn will save the taxpayers money )
The CBAC wants to have as much input from you to relay to the Council. The Council wants your input. That is why it is important that you send us your questions.
Remember, it's your money that is being spent.
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I may be wrong, but it appears you are not indipendent and taking your cues from the Council. Maybe that cannot be helped but it diminishes the confidence people put in your findings.
ReplyDeleteTo 4:31PM. Thank you for your quesiton. I am sure many people are thinking the same as yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe process for becoming a member of the CBAC is this: Citizens interested in being on the CBAC should contact a member of the City Council to express interest in being on the Committee. The Council reviews applications for membership on this committee and actually makes the appointments from wards represented by City Council members. The CBAC is not an independent authority by virtue of this fact alone. It should be noted, however, that many members were proactive is seeking out membership as opposed to being asked.
Because council members are elected to their seats, CBAC membership can be regarded as representative of the City's residents. If you read our report from last year, we raised many issues that strayed from conventional thinking, such as reorganizing the entire structure of City Hall.
We will post all questions provided to us either through this blog, or personal email sent to any member of the CBAC. Questions have been submitted and are posted on the blog. Answers will be posted as received.
However, the best way for you to be convinced that it is an independent body is to get involved yourself. Call your council person and ask to be on the CBAC, or send us a question or questions you want answered. We will post it on the blog and submit it to City Hall.
Remember, this is your money being spent.