Madison, WI Header
File #: 11494    Version: 1 Name: President's Work Group on Improvements to Budget Process - Final Report & Recommendations
Type: Report Status: Filed
File created: 7/30/2008 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: 8/5/2008 Final action: 8/5/2008
Enactment date: 8/8/2008 Enactment #:
Title: President's Work Group on Improvements to Budget Process - Final Report & Recommendations.
Attachments: 1. Final Report Presidents Work Group on Improvements to Budget Process 0708
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsWatch
8/5/20081 COMMON COUNCIL Grant with Condition(s) and Close the Public HearingPass Action details Meeting details Not available
7/30/20081 Council Office RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL WITH THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS - REPORT OF OFFICER  Action details Meeting details Not available
Title
President's Work Group on Improvements to Budget Process - Final Report & Recommendations.
Body
The President’s Work Group on Improvements to the Budget Process was created in response to the adoption of Resolution, Legislative File No. 08238 by the Common Council on February 26, 2008 (see attached resolution).

Members of the President’s Work Group on Improvements to the Budget Process included:
CCOC Appointments: Ald. Brenda Konkel, District 2 and Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18
Board of Estimates Appointments: Ald. Zach Brandon, District 7 and Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway, District 12
Common Council President, Ald. Tim Bruer, District 14
President’s Designee - President Pro Tem, Ald. Mark Clear, District 19
Alternates: Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4 and Ald. Judy Compton, District 16

The work group met three times: May 16, 2008, May 27, 2008 and June 4, 2008. Guy Van Rensselaer (Organizational Development Specialist/City Organization Development & Training) facilitated the meetings (see attached meeting handouts/notes).

The following is the list of improvements to the budget process that were identified by the work group:

Identified Improvements to the Budget Process

1. Room structure (BOE meetings)
2. Provide Department information to Council prior to introduction
3. Create an earlier budget introduction date
4. Move amendment due dates up by one day (not on Friday’s)
5. Create incentives to reward working within the process
6. Better explanation of process (closer to budget time)
7. Get everyone/increase attendance at BOE meetings
8. Public engagement with budget
9. Don’t schedule budget 3 nights in a row

Recommendations were categorized into two groups; a set of short-term solutions that can be implemented in time for this year’s (2009) budget cycle, and longer-term objectives for next year and beyond.

Recommendations to improve the 2009 Budget Process

1. Room structure (Board of Estimates meetings on the ...

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