UPDATED OPINION: The city's "Budget By Priorities" process could be better

City government hasn't encouraged citizen participation and awareness of the budget process so far this year. 

BACKGROUND:  Two years ago Councilmember Richard Cole introduced a novel approach to streamlining the city budget process, called "Budget By Priorities" (BBP).  One of BBP's best features is citizen participation.  Today, citizens are mostly unaware that they can participate. Will it improve?  

 In 2008, the initial community meeting was well attended by over 60 citizens.  This year 6 citizens signed in at the registration desk.   Mayor Marchione presented  six budget priorities:  1) Clean Green Environment, 2) Community Building, 3)  Responsible Government, 4) Safety, 5) Business Community, and 6) Infrastructure and Growth.   The city government's priorities haven't changed from two years ago.

In 2008, citizens attended a second meeting of workshops on each priority when everyone got to talk and share their requests.  It was excellent.  This year, workshops aren't planned or announced.  

In 2008, I participated the Community Building workshop.  My "request " (as the lingo goes) for city-wide WI-FI was rejected by staff during the workshop, though  WI-FI is now planned for the Parks.  After the workshops, the Mayor sent his "Results Team" (1 citizen/5 staff)  to work, ranking and screening staff and citizen requests.  This year the Results Teams were formed before the first Community Meeting and according to a Team member "they have been working very hard".   

PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCESS THIS YEAR?   Our city government is shuttering shut a window here and a window there - participation and transparency is fading, as follows:

1. Two councilmembers (~30%) were missing at the opening BBP meeting.  Council makes the final decisions on the budget.  They represent us on city spending.    
2. After the meeting I asked if I could be on a Results Team.  The Mayor responded by email, quote:  "As for the Results Teams, the application date closed February 19th and they have been appointed."  What??  Where was the advertising?  The notices?  The mailers?  The RCTV bulletins?  The city website notice?   The city press release was simply:  "City Seeks Residents for Budget Teams".  What Teams?  What budget?  No reference was made to "Budge By Priorities". 
3. The Administration wouldn't disclose who was on the Results Teams. I had to file a Public Request.  Why shouldn't we know the names and titles of  these important teams?   (stay tuned).  We may want to ask a question or make a request.     
4. The Results teams weren't introduced at the March meeting and most didn't even make the meeting.  Only one Results Team member signed in at the March community meeting.  Yet, the mayor emailed he "needed the priorities and results teams to come together on March 1".   Why? 
5. The Mayor elects the 6 volunteers for the results team.  Deputy Administrator Jane Christenson wrote in an email, "the City advertises for interested citizens...the Mayor then considers those who have expressed interest for the assignment...".  Hmm. Advertises? 

Enough said.   

The question to ask is what do you YOU think??  Is participation in the budget process important to you?  Am I nit-picking?  Do you care about this?  If you are so inspired, please comment! ....

Opinion By Bob Yoder