Plainfield's budget season gets under way tomorrow night with the expected offering of its FY2010 budget proposal to the Council by the Robinson-Briggs administration.
There is always a little confusion here, because the word 'introduce' is usually introduced into the conversation at this point. Which makes it a little confusing when, perhaps months later, the Council 'introduces' and approves the budget.
The proposal by the administrative branch presents its estimate of both expected REVENUES ('miscellaneous revenues' for anticipated receipts from fees, grants, state aid and income -- if any -- from investments; plus the amount needed to be raised by a tax levy) and of its projected EXPENDITURES for the administration of city government.
The document, which must be available for public inspection at the Clerk's office (and in Plainfield is also available traditionally at the Plainfield Public Library), then becomes the subject of close examination and amendment by the City Council. It would be nice if it were made available online, but we can only hope.
Exercising its prerogative to make changes to an administration's budget proposal is one of the most important powers of a governing body. It is the Council that 'strikes' the budget, thus setting the amount to be raised by tax levy and the constraints within which an administration is expected to labor for the balance of the budget year.
Last year's budget process was one of great embarrassment for the Robinson-Briggs administration, with an enormous blooper ($1.8M) escaping the attention of those responsible.
In addition to the Council review, the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) will pore over the proposal as it did last year, making suggestions to the governing body.
Perhaps this year, in addition to looking for cost-cutting moves, it can take a page from Green Brook's budget process last year, where two additional focuses were considered in addition to cost effectiveness: efficiency and keeping impact on residents to a minimum.
In Green Brook's case, it meant restructuring staff positions to maintain service levels while reducing overhead.
Although the state's Division of Local Government Services has the final say in approving proposed budgets, Plainfield's City Council will want to assure itself that revenue projections for the next year are as accurate as possible.
This is especially important since we are not yet out of the woods with regard to the recession (Plainfield's unemployment rate was just reported UP to 11.7% -- see here).
Once the Council and the CBAC have had their look-see and Council amendments are drafted, the budget is 'introduced' as a budget resolution by the Council, which sets a 28-day clock running, within which a public hearing must be held and the budget formally adopted.
Because budgets are RESOLUTIONS (they only affect the municipality for a year, as contrasted with ORDINANCES, which are meant to remain in effect indefinitely), there is a great deal of pressure to get them done and adopted before the end of the year, because the Council's unfinished business technically expires on December 31st.
However, with state aid undecided well into the budget year, this nicety is coming to be more honored in the breach.
With the budget proposal submitted earlier this year than last, might we hope to actually have a budget in place before it's a moot issue, as was the case this past year, where adoption came 10 months into the year?
Let's hope so.
-- Dan Damon
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4 comments:
With extra ordinary State Aid the budget makers should use the old Army/Business game. Put in an anticipated amount in a multiple of what is actually expected ,counter balance it with pie in the sky expenditures that will adapt to cutting. Taxes will not increase over the cap and blame for shortfall can be transfered to the State Administration in Place.
Then go back to a Calendar Year Budget.
I should ahve saved this for a blog.
Cell Phone Procedures reveal cost savings
In a memorandum on July 20, 2009, Superintendent Steve Gallon III initiated and developed new protocols and guidelines for the issuance and use of District cell phones to improve accountability and efficient use of District resources. A recent analysis of bills for cell phone service has shown a decrease in the district’s monthly invoice from $6,723.00 to $4,030.00, with an anticipated annual savings of $32,000.00. This savings is a direct result of the new protocols and guidelines instituted to monitor and improve accountability for District issued cell phone use
Maybe the City can learn from such practices.
From a former insider, it is kind of a joke that memos go out that all budget stuff needs to be submitted to the Mayor by May 15, as the budget year starts July 1 !! Nothing happens until after the election then !! So June [thinking of what to do] July, august, September, October and Novemeber everyone is just standing with their hands in their pockets to see what the Goals and Objectives are suppose to be and what funds are granted.
Good Morning Mr. Damon did you read the latest in the news we have a new charter school coming to plainfield for the 2010 2011 school year which have been signed off by yours truly our very own Assemmblyman Gerald Green and yes yours truly Mayor Sharon Robinson Briggs. What a slap in the face to the teacher's in the city of plainfield school district. Yes another chunk of money chopped away from their budget. With another charter school there will probably be another lay-off. Lets see if the residents of Plainfield will wake up. I have to compliment the surrounding towns, their elected officials will never allow their towns to be sold-out. Plainfield wake up show up for the coming election in November. As Governor Corzine said in his speech another charter school will be coming to Plainfield VOTE him out, Assemblyman Gerald Green out and the Mayor of Plainfield who also signed off on this out. Show them that plainfield will not settle for less anymore. I hope the next Governor, Assemblymen or Assemblywomen, Mayor we get to represent us will take this as a warning Plainfield is no longer settleing for less.
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