Citizens Budget Advisory

Committee

REVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 2010

AND BEYOND

1
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Table of Contents

 Introduction

 Overall Objectives

 City Operations

 Initiatives for Future Consideration

 FY 2009 - 2010 Budget Recommendations

 Budget Cost Savings

 FY 2011 Budget Recommendations

 Economic Development

 CBAC Budget Process Recommendation

2
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Introduction

THE MEMBERS

LISA CASEY, B.S. Accounting, Accountant

JEANETTE CRISCIONE, M.B.A., Business Management Consultant

SHARI EFFMAN, B.S. Engineering & Business Administration, Sales Engineer, Realtor

ALAN GOLDSTEIN, M.B.A. Finance, Investment Manager

SUSAN KILDUFF, M.A., M.P.A, University Administrator

JAN MASSEY, B. A., Small Business Owner

3
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Introduction

THE CBAC BUDGET REVIEW PROCESS:

The CBAC took a holistic, long term view:

 Reviewed total budget process

 Attended City Council and budget meetings

 Analyzed public budget documents

 Compared Plainfield to other municipalities

 Interviewed City officials and residents

4
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Overall Objective / Goals

THE CBAC CONCENTRATED ON THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

 Identify the City of Plainfield’s core services

Public Safety - (Police / Fire) Public Works

Economic Development Inspections

Information Technology Recreation

 Evaluate areas for additional revenue

 Analyze expenses associated with providing City services
 Provide recommendations to control tax increases in FY10
and subsequent years
 Suggest changes to generate efficiencies and save dollars

5
 CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
City Operations

6
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
City Operations

CITY OF PLAINFIELD’S OPERATIONS:

 Restructure executive Cabinet for wider divisional

representation
 Realign divisions in a way that makes operational sense
 Create quantifiable departmental goals to measure success
 Evaluate outsourcing and shared services opportunities
 Ensure consistency in key administrative positions

7
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Future Consideration

INITIATIVES FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION:

 Study the City’s relationship with PMUA

 Find alternative financing and delivery of social services

 Examine new formulas for pensions and healthcare benefits

 Implement a real “Open Bid” process

 Establish Citizen Advisory Committees for Public Safety,

Recreation, Health Services and other areas that would benefit

8
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
FY 2010 Budget Recommendations

FY10 BUDGET CUT RECOMMENDATIONS:

 Reduce salary and wage budget by $1.4 million

 Five quarters of across-the-board rolling furloughs

 Salary and hiring freeze

 Restrict use of overtime

 Suspend certain discretionary spending

9
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Budget Cost Savings

OVERALL BUDGET COST SAVINGS AND REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS:

 Union negotiations to generate appropriate reductions

 Self-supporting operations

 Fee structures reflective of costs

 PILOT revenue that pays for the provision of direct city services

 Properties of non-profits to meet tax-exempt criteria

 Community outreach and voluntary public service

10
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
FY 2011 Budget Recommendations

FY11 BUDGET CUT RECOMMENDATIONS:

 Zero percent tax increase

 Establish a reduction target by March 1, 2010

 Firm deadlines set

 Standardized operations review procedures

 Targeted personnel reductions

 New employment compensation formulas

11
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Economic Development

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic Development is crucial to Plainfield’s future and reducing

the tax burden placed on homeowners and renters

 Renew contacts with New Jersey developers

 Generate clearly defined goals and measurements of progress

 Create an Economic Growth Committee with ward

representation, development officials, and business
organizations

 Tactical sales of city properties and use of tax incentives that

complement development plans

12
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
CBAC Budget Process Recommendations

CBAC BUDGET REVIEW PROCESS

 Partners with the City Council and Plainfield citizens

 Two-year term and active throughout the year

 Regular meetings with department and division heads

 Requests the Administration’s budget presentation detail the true

cost of operations by inclusion of apportioned fringe benefit
costs

13
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
CBAC Budget Process Recommendations

PREFERRED CBAC BUDGET REVIEW SCHEDULE

January to March Meet with City Department Heads

March to May Organize materials, meet in
committee and follow up with City
Finance Committee
May Present final findings to Finance
Committee
July – January Track budget process from July to
January and through adoption
January Begin preliminary review of
following fiscal year

14
CITY OF PLAINFIELD FISCAL YEAR 2010
Closing Remarks

FINAL WORDS:

 Key positions in the City’s financial administration remain vacant

 Administration’s Communications are lacking

 We all have a vested interest in taking painful actions today that

are geared to long-run improvements

 Appreciation is merited for all city employees who keep the city
running and safe

 City government is only as strong as its citizens demand and the

hands-on initiative we take to make changes- Get Involved!

15