Title
Agenda Item:
2014 Budget & Public Engagement Plan
Body
Issue:
Discuss 2014 Budget Calendar and plan for public engagement
Committee Recommendation:
To be developed
City Manager Recommendation:
Review options and advise whether or not to move forward with public engagement plan
Staff Contact:
Jane Kirkemo, Administrative Services Director 753.8499
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager
Jane Kirkemo, Administrative Services Director
Background and Analysis:
During the 2013 Council deliberations on the budget, Council asked staff to look at the budget calendar for 2014 to provide an opportunity for more public engagement. During the January finance committee staff reviewed all the budget public engagement opportunities in 2013 as well as previous years. During the committee meetings members said we should be more intentional in how we work with our advisory committees and we need to involve the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (CNA).
The City Manager will present the 2014 Operating Budget October 22nd - giving the citizens three weeks to review the budget prior to the public hearing (schedule attached). The Capital Facilities Plan public hearing will be October 15. Staff will also prepare a Budget in Brief for the preliminary budget. This will be a one page, simple and easy to read document about the 2014 Operating Budget.
Staff is suggesting the public engagement process be expanded to include 3 focus groups: Advisory Committees, CNA, and Business Owners. First, staff would hold a general session with the groups to explain the operating budget. Subsequent to the budget overview, staff would hire a facilitator (e.g. Elway Research) to conduct 3 focus groups (Advisory committees, CNA, and a group of business owners). The Finance Committee would observe the focus groups. The Finance Committee would then use the feedback in developing budget recommendations to the full Council.
In addition, staff is recommending the Finance Committee video tape ...
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