Citizen's Budget Review Advisory Committee Propose

[BrianSullivan]

At the April 19th meeting, Councilman John Newman proposed the formation of the Citizen Budget review Committee, one of his campaign promises to borough voters. This is a part of his ongoing open government initiatives.

Newman had introduced a basic proposal to all of the governing body to review prior to this nights meeting. Newman mentioned that this is not some radical concept and had researched and found that many, many towns have done this. Closer to home, this concept is modeled after the successful county model which save millions of dollars.

Newman's proposal was very basic and he made clear that there is a lot of flexibility so that the council could model it to our towns needs. The Mayor and other members of the governing body appeared very receptive to the concept. Newman proposed a 6 person team, enabling each member if the governing body to submit one appointee. This is so that it is non partisan. The mayor mentioned considering making the team a bit smaller, around three people.

It was also mentioned that this committee could and should work with the borough finance committee. Councilman Schnurr rightfully pointed out the time line, demonstrating tha this committee would not go into effect until the next budget.

[BrianSullivan]

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-05/Front_Page/Advisory_board_would_examine_local_finances.html

Advisory board would examine local finances

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A committee that would be able to provide proactive public input during the municipal budget process may be created in Freehold Borough.

Councilman John Newman brought the idea of a citizens budget advisory committee to the Borough Council’s workshop meeting on April 19. He said the committee would be nonpartisan and advisory in nature.

Newman said counties, municipalities and school boards around New Jersey have established committees of this type and he said the panels have made effective recommendations to reduce government spending.

He said he believes a committee such as the one being proposed will lead to a more open and responsible government.

The citizens budget advisory committee would provide analysis, input and suggestions to the council regarding municipal finances and budget issues, he said.

It would be charged with reviewing the borough’s budget, its services, programs and expenditures and presenting that review to the council each year.

According to the proposal, each of the six members of the council would appoint one person to the advisory committee to serve for a one-year term.

Newman’s suggestion for an advisory committee was well received by the mayor and council members.

Mayor Michael Wilson said he thought it was a positive step.




“The only change I would consider is to have less members,” Wilson said. “My idea would be to have the advantage of this committee, but to have three members rather than six.”

Wilson suggested that the mayor should appoint the advisory committee members.

Councilman Kevin Kane, who chairs the council’s finance committee, said he liked the idea of the citizens budget advisory committee.

Kane said he thought the committee was a great idea and said he would like it better if the panel would work in conjunction with the finance committee.

Councilman George Schnurr agreed that the advisory board would work better if it were made part of the finance committee.

Council members asked Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins to develop an ordinance which would create a citizens budget advisory committee with three members who would be appointed by the mayor, and to require the advisory panel to work in conjunction with the finance committee.

[johnfnewman]

Some people have asked about this committee, especially in light of this year's budget.

I had proposed a very loose idea in the form of a simple resolution, pretty much as Brian laid out above.

As this was done in a workshop session, I presented the idea to the governing body. The mayor and council were receptive, talked it over, and made recommendations.

The borough attorney will draft an ordinance, it will have to be introduced, then voted on. Then, pursuant to the Citizen Service Act, the positions will have to be advertised and remain open for a period of thirty days before the committee becomes active. This will allow for as many interested persons as possible to make an application.

Therefore, this committee will have no effect on this year's budget. The idea was to start thinking about next year's budget today.

As suggested by the mayor and council, this committee will work with the finance commitee. But I also think it needs to have a degree of autonomy in order to be truly effective.

There was some criticism directed at the idea, such as the committee would supplant the role of council and "that is why we elect the council." It needs to be remembered that this is an advisory committee that will make public recommendations to the council. Those recommendations will either be excepted or rejected by council. No doubt, the governing body will have to answer to any rejected recommendation.

Anyone with concerns about a committee usurping the role of council should remember that we have several advisory boards:

• the planning board not only reviews applicaitons before it, but it may make recommendations to council about zoning and will be in the near future reviewing the master plan;
  
• the rental property review board;
  
• human relations; and
  
• historic preservation
  

Many other towns, counties and even school boards have budget advisory committees. They can be very helpful in being an additional resource in finding savings.

Furthermore, I see a budget advisory committee as opening the process up to the public. Yes, there are budget hearings, but that is when the budget has already been put together. This citizen committee will be pro-active, and will have the power to make recommendations, not simply react as an afterthought.

[Mike Rosseel]

John,

Will there be a way of the Citizens Budget Review to make things known to residents. Will they have access to E-Blast. After this years budget, I think it would be nice for residents to have an idea of whats going on before the 11th hour. Also, what will the selection process be for this committee, will it be looking for people with budget or a money type backgrounds?

As I stated to you directly, I was against this but now see the benefits it will have for the residents of town. I hope it is a full committee of 6 not just 3, the more eyes the better. Well done Mr Newman.

[richardkelsey]

May 5, 2010 4:59:11 GMT -5 BrianSullivan said:

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-05-05/Front_Page/Advisory_board_would_examine_local_finances.html

Advisory board would examine local finances

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A committee that would be able to provide proactive public input during the municipal budget process may be created in Freehold Borough.

Councilman John Newman brought the idea of a citizens budget advisory committee to the Borough Council’s workshop meeting on April 19. He said the committee would be nonpartisan and advisory in nature.

Newman said counties, municipalities and school boards around New Jersey have established committees of this type and he said the panels have made effective recommendations to reduce government spending.

He said he believes a committee such as the one being proposed will lead to a more open and responsible government.

The citizens budget advisory committee would provide analysis, input and suggestions to the council regarding municipal finances and budget issues, he said.

It would be charged with reviewing the borough’s budget, its services, programs and expenditures and presenting that review to the council each year.

According to the proposal, each of the six members of the council would appoint one person to the advisory committee to serve for a one-year term.

Newman’s suggestion for an advisory committee was well received by the mayor and council members.

Mayor Michael Wilson said he thought it was a positive step.




“The only change I would consider is to have less members,” Wilson said. “My idea would be to have the advantage of this committee, but to have three members rather than six.”

Wilson suggested that the mayor should appoint the advisory committee members.

Councilman Kevin Kane, who chairs the council’s finance committee, said he liked the idea of the citizens budget advisory committee.

Kane said he thought the committee was a great idea and said he would like it better if the panel would work in conjunction with the finance committee.

Councilman George Schnurr agreed that the advisory board would work better if it were made part of the finance committee.

Council members asked Borough Attorney Kerry Higgins to develop an ordinance which would create a citizens budget advisory committee with three members who would be appointed by the mayor, and to require the advisory panel to work in conjunction with the finance committee.

I love the idea. Numerous towns do it. Numerous large counties do it -- including the very liberal Arlington Virginia.

The Committee should be more independent -- and 3 is too small a number. The whole point of the committee is for "citizens review."

Consolidating the number down to 3 makes no sense. Three appointees of the Mayor, no less.

The Committee should be 7. Each member of Council should appoint a member, with the advise and consent of the entire counsel. The Committee should set up guidelines for appointments. In this case, some budget, financial, business, home-owner, and social services elements should be considered.

Make the committee real, and you will get real results.

The committee should be given a charter, and they should make their recommendations in a report and to the mayor and Council in a public meeting on the budget each year.

Just a few suggestions.

[BrianSullivan]

Rich and Mike, very good points from both of you. I also agree that the committee should be larger than three and play a role in creating more transparency.

John, Thanks for your thoughts. It is good to see you moving ahead with these ideas. It is also very good to see the rest of teh council and you working together for the common good.

[BrianSullivan]

Government is so slow! But it looks like it is finally happening. Looks like this committee will only be three people? The other question- how accessible will this committee be to the general public?

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2010-12-29/Front_Page/Residents_will_be_named_to_budget_panel.html

The resolution establishes an ad hoc Citizens Advisory Budget Committee, which will consist of three residents appointed annually by the mayor, “to aid, assist and offer input into the Finance Committee in looking for avenues to cut costs and reduce spending.”

Click on link for full story.

[lisas84]

Thanks for the link, Brian! I believe that 3 folks as appointees is a manageable number to commence this new committee. The more you have, I believe, the more chaos likely will be thrown into the process. Finding three non-partisan financial wizards in town may not be easy. These folks definitely have a meticulous task ahead of them. So, good luck to the new committee!