beyond the great recession: saving cities and schools south central assembly summit june 13, 2012
TRANSCRIPT
BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION: SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS
South Central Assembly Summit
June 13, 2012
Stabilize finances
Establish organizational infrastructure
Change the culture/ improve service delivery
FIRST THINGS FIRST…
LET THE CHIPS FALL…
DCED Early Intervention Program: Comprehensive Audit
Engage business and community leaders
Create community – neighborhood meetings
Build a team – workforce meetings
OPERATIONS: “… need an extreme makeover.”
Critical investment in the City’s corporate infrastructure has been neglected.
Investment in human and technological capital is lacking.
Investment in facilities and operations has been limited at best.
FINANCES: “The future is bleak.”
REVENUES: 2% annual growth rate
EXPENSES: 5 to 6 % annual growth rate (health insurance = 18% growth rate)
“If nothing is done to reverse these trends, initial projections show a $69 million cumulative deficit by 2012.”
IT’S NOW OR NEVER
““Continued neglect will increase operating costs and make Continued neglect will increase operating costs and make it more difficult to provide good customer service.”it more difficult to provide good customer service.”
““The primary findings of the report are that the City of The primary findings of the report are that the City of Lancaster must upgrade its corporate and physical Lancaster must upgrade its corporate and physical infrastructure, while at the same time addressing a infrastructure, while at the same time addressing a serious fiscal situation.”serious fiscal situation.”
-- -- Management Partners Management Partners September 2007September 2007
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Strategic Planning
Staff meetings & work site visits
Customer Centered Culture: “Off the bus.” Human Resources: Performance Measures, Salary Scales, Job
Descriptions, Training
Leased computers
Shared IT Services
Phone systems
Facilities assessments
OPERATIONS
REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS
Voluntary Contribution ProgramFees based on cost-recoveryCredit cards accepted for paymentsCapital Budget used to fund infrastructure and other
investmentsSettled Worker’s comp claimsSold Property liensCollection of delinquent accountsTax increases
Contract concessions Lay-offsEarly retirement buy-outsHiring freezesSalary freezesMerit vs. Cost of living adjustments
CUT EXPENSES
A COMMON VISION
PROVIDE THE IDEAL URBAN EXPERIENCE
Public artDesign standards and streetscape enhancementsPark improvementsGreen Infrastructure Public buildingsUtilities – water, recycling, solid waste
OUR ENVIRONMENT
OUR NEIGHBORHOODS
Rental property registration and licensingCode EnforcementAdministrative TicketingSWEEP
Institutional: F&M, MU, PCAD, LGHOther Non-Profits: Religious, Social Service, Housing,
Philanthropic Community Development Groups: SACA, JSID, DIDBusiness Groups: Lancaster Alliance, Lancaster
ChamberArts & Culture: Lancaster Arts
OUR PARTNERS
PROSPER OR PERISH: FINANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
IN PENNSYLVANIA
THE FUTURE
Local governments must be given a menu of options for generating revenue.
The public safety contract arbitration system (Act 111) must be reformed.
State-mandated defined benefits must give way to consolidation of pension plans at the statewide level.
Inter-municipal shared services must be heavily incentivized and, in some cases, mandated.
Property tax reform must happen.
MUNICIPAL FINANCE TASK FORCE
www.cityoflancasterpa.com
http://www.philadelphiafed.org/community-development/
Pat BroganMayor’s Office, City of [email protected]
717.291.4701
FOR MORE INFORMATION…