08-15-16 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

a bit of a lag, but you add to that some of the things that are going on in the statehouse, including a tax cut that is coming in 2020, the last act of HB 1001 that the City has been dealing with ever since. At the same time, we are very much reliant on the gas tax when it comes to roads. The gas tax funds our roads. Gas prices are low, and people are buying more fuel efficient vehicles, and the gas tax was never pegged to inflation. So even though roads are more expensive to maintain, we aren't seeing an increase in funding. Personnel costs are rising faster than inflation, the main driver being health care costs. This year we saw an eight percent (8 %) increase. We are self - insured, but we are always going back to our broker to make sure we are getting the best deal that we can, but they're continuing to rise at a faster rate than revenue. The big initiatives that you've heard about are on track. We are continuing to pursue the GVI, our diversity and inclusion effort, we are still working on workforce development, we are down from the big glut of vacant and abandoned houses and we want to make sure that never creeps up on us again. Also, a number of quality of place improvements including Smart Streets are in progress. When it comes to the values that are going to guide our City, we are really focused on excellence, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and empowerment. Every City employee knows that I may be inclined to pull them aside. and ask them to repeat our values. Excellence means that we are finding a way to be the best in the state or the country in everything we do. Accountability means that we are transparent and efficient, putting residents first. Innovation means that we are always looking for better ways to provide services. Inclusion means that we are ensuring that as an employer and a purchaser, we are reflecting our community and celebrating our diversity. Empowerment means that we are creating an environment that empowers employees at every level to contribute in the richest possible way. Based on the listening that we've done, the following is what we believe to be some of the major priorities that were expressed by the Council when it comes to the 2017 budget. Some are steady from before like interest in Shot Spotter, dumping and graffiti, traffic, and grass cutting were big themes last year. This year we heard about diversity and public safety, community policing, fighting in neighborhoods, City infrastructure, vacant lots, Code Enforcement, and curbs and sidewalks. Newer themes for this year include planning and making sure that DCI is strong in neighborhood planning and policy, making sure that technology is available for residents so they are not left out, and the City ID program that became possible by last year's passing of the budget. In the meantime, if you were on hand for the budget kickoff, we are focusing on Priority Based Budgeting beginning with establishing priorities at the highest level. We took surveys from the public and internally, and we arrived at six (6) priorities for the community: A safe community for everyone, a strong inclusive economy, thriving public spaces, vibrant welcoming neighborhoods, a robust and well - planned infrastructure, and making sure that all residents are 2