City Hall overflows! Redmondites make requests for how our tax dollars should be spent.

OPINION: Wow! What an evening last night at City Hall! And to discuss a Budget, no less! Amazingly, citizen turn-out overflowed seating capacity. The last time I've seen participation like this was at the Camwest "Perrigo Heights" woodland clear-cut debate.

If you missed the meeting, you can catch the intro on RCTV-21 archives. But, the breakout sessions were not taped -- the best part. However, the breakout session minutes and citizens' requests can be found "here".

Let me clue you in - Marchione's presentation of the budget process was "the flipside" - a jump shift, from the laborious and bureaucratic sessions of the previous administration. And oh, how refreshing! Last year Council and Staff Directors had to struggle with over 25 tortuous study sessions, while the general staff & citizens where left out to dry.

This year, highly involved citizens shared leadership with select staff on "Results Teams", focused on the seven budget priorities. The best part? We "lowly citizens" had several opportunities to tell and sell the city on what WE wanted funded! Our "requests for funding offers" will be screened by the Staff Departments and presented to Council. It felt like we were really being heard and, with all sincerity, about how WE wanted the Council to spend our tax dollars. It's hard to believe , but "Budgeting by Priorities" - was actually FUN! Much more so than the previous administration's endless & squishy "Budgeting with Remorse" sessions. ha!

Our Council has the hardest part in the whole process. I feel for them, as follows:

1. During the meeting councilmembers had to hold their thoughts and emotions back while WE expressed our needs & wants with staff, fellow citizens, and the Results Teams.


2. Council must now sit down in front of the cameras and winnow out the winning "requests". Of course, our Safety (fire and police) comes first. Then, the roads, sewer lines and wastewater infrastructure must be built to cope with all our growth. Land use planning for a green environment must be satisfied.


3. Even with all these capital and operational expense requirements, I truly *believe funds will be "left over" for the things that can make Redmond a Great City, rather than just another one of the many corporate Edge Cities of America. Our art, culture, heritage, city branding, human services, amenities, "gathering places", business and neighborhood communities are all on the table. The Results Team and Council may have some tough decisions to make.

The ultimate success of "Budgeting by Priorities" will rest with Mr. Mayor Marchione's financial skills and ability to uncover and reallocate funds. I firmly *believe Mayor Marchione has the leadership and financial skills to do it. Stay tuned for the results!