Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution creates a task force to evaluate Madison’s current governance structure. The resolution also amends the budget to appropriate $250,000 for a consultant contract to examine best practices surrounding the structure of local government organizations. Upon adoption of this resolution, to the remaining balance in the 2016 Contingent Reserve will be $890,810.
Title
Creating a Task Force on the Structure of City Government and authorizing the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a consultant to conduct a study of local government structures and support the work of the Task Force and amending the 2016 Adopted Operating Budget to appropriate $250,000 from the Contingent Reserve.
Body
WHEREAS, the city of Madison has not undergone any organizational study or change since the mayor’s term was extended to four years in 1987; and
WHEREAS, there have been increases in alder compensation that have moved the nature of the alder position away from a volunteer-based honorarium towards that of a part-time employee; and
WHEREAS, the population of the city has grown by over 70,000 since 1980 and best estimates are that the population will continue to grow through the time of the 2020 census; and
WHEREAS, the budget structure of city of Madison government is premised on Wisconsin statutory legislation that goes back to 1921; and
WHEREAS, the city of Madison has one of the cleanest, most efficient municipal governments in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the city of Madison is constantly recognized as one of the best cities to live, work, and play in the United States using a variety of metrics; and
WHEREAS, the city of Madison is committed to increasing racial equity and promoting social justice and the restructuring of city government will have an impact on communities of color and low-income individuals; and
WHEREAS, any change of the city government structure should be carefully and prudently studied and analyzed with proper public oversight;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city of Madison hereby creates a Task Force on Structure of City Government with 17 total members, made up of 15 residents to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council and 2 council members to be appointed by the President of the Common Council and confirmed by the Common Council; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force resident appointments represent the city based on geographic interests, and reflect the ethnic and racial makeup of the population of the city as well as varying business, social, and economic viewpoints; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that given the special nature of this venture, that the Mayor be free to draw upon the hundreds of residents already serving on city committees to serve on the Task Force; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force will examine:
• The impact of restructuring on people of color and those living with lower incomes by using a full racial equity analysis that assesses benefits, burdens, and unintended consequences of any potential changes
• Structure and practices in selected Cities in the population range of 250,000-500,000; whether the city is growing or declining in population, as well as its diversity
• The attributes of councils with full time members, part time members, and those considered to be volunteers performing their duties for a nominal salary or honorarium
• The committee system, and the use of resident members
• The frequency and time of day of both council and committee meetings
• The size and cost of council staff
• The particular state laws that impact the operation of local government
• The services provided, particularly relating to public education, the transit system, sewage districts and any special utilities
• District and city wide elections for council members
• An evaluation of the quality of life and fiscal systems in the respective cities including as evaluation of its economic health
• The powers and duties of the mayor including the hiring, firing and supervision of department and division heads,
• Any extraordinary powers of the mayor including veto, line item veto and emergency management
• The size of the staff and budget of the mayor’s office
• Structures with an ongoing city administrator who does not serve at the pleasure of the mayor
• The division of authority between the Council and City staff, such as the size of contracts that may be approved administratively
• The roles of the executive and legislative branches regarding operation of City agencies and development of work plans
• A city manager form of government or any weak mayor form of government where the mayor is not the chief administrative officer is not to be considered, and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force be staffed by the City Attorney and the Finance Director and that $250,000 be appropriated from the contingent reserve to hire a consultant and assist with staff to the Task Force pursuant to a Request for Proposals (RFP) consistent with the charge of the Task Force in this resolution; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2016 Adopted Operating Budget is amended to appropriate $250,000 from the Contingent Reserve in the Finance Department operating budget support costs associated with the contract; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that the consultant be either an academic institution or academic section or department of an institution of higher learning or a ‘think tank’ that does not have a demonstrated political view, and the choice of the consultant shall be approved by the Common Council; and
BE IT STILL FURTHER RESOLVED, that any recommendations of the Task Force that affect the size and powers of the Common Council, or the mayor and the mayor’s office shall not be adopted unless put before and approved by the Madison electorate in a binding referendum(a); and
BE FINALLY RESOLVED, that Task Force will dissolve upon the issuance of its
recommendations on any potential structural changes to city government and presentation of recommendations to the Mayor and Common Council, which shall be completed if possible no later than December 31, 2017.