The beginning of each year with the county means we are moving towards the budgeting cycle. Normally that’s true, but this past year under the leadership of Steve Mokrohisky and your county commission we have been able to begin the implementation of the a priority based budgeting system. This new process actually began in the summer of 2011 when Steve brought this idea to the commission just after he became the county manager. In addition to this system and under Steve’s leadership we have also been able to look at a 5 year forecast of the county revenue and spending.
These new approaches have provided information to make the tough decisions that are required when we look at balancing our finances. And prioritizing where your money should be spent.
With the priority based budgeting system all of our county departments have ranked all of their programs into 4 quartiles based on how they align to our county priorities. Following that ranking their peers reviewed and validated the rankings sometimes changing the ranking and those rankings were sent back to the department head.
Each program has a dollar amount attached to it so when we look at the lowest ranking programs and the budgeted amount we can also filter down to different looks that allow us to see mandated programs and programs that are impacting different areas of the county budget.
The result over the next few months will be asking tough questions of our programs and our county leaders have already begun that process. Let me share you one example of a tough question we may need to address. Should we maintain a county DMV department? It costs tax payers roughly $140,000 and only brings in a revenue of $90,000 costing the tax payers additional money to bring this service to our citizens. With the internet being prevalent in our county and the ease of renewing on line, this cost is more likely to go up rather than go down. Do we maintain this service or do we change that service? Please know these numbers are not final and are preliminary and may change as we continue to evaluate them. I share this example so you can see the challenge we will have moving forward.
The new system will give us vision into our budget and programs that we have never had before. We are all able to look at our spending a new way. Stay tuned!
Thank you for the faith and trust you give to us as your commissioners and for your support. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] and I will always respond back to you.
These new approaches have provided information to make the tough decisions that are required when we look at balancing our finances. And prioritizing where your money should be spent.
With the priority based budgeting system all of our county departments have ranked all of their programs into 4 quartiles based on how they align to our county priorities. Following that ranking their peers reviewed and validated the rankings sometimes changing the ranking and those rankings were sent back to the department head.
Each program has a dollar amount attached to it so when we look at the lowest ranking programs and the budgeted amount we can also filter down to different looks that allow us to see mandated programs and programs that are impacting different areas of the county budget.
The result over the next few months will be asking tough questions of our programs and our county leaders have already begun that process. Let me share you one example of a tough question we may need to address. Should we maintain a county DMV department? It costs tax payers roughly $140,000 and only brings in a revenue of $90,000 costing the tax payers additional money to bring this service to our citizens. With the internet being prevalent in our county and the ease of renewing on line, this cost is more likely to go up rather than go down. Do we maintain this service or do we change that service? Please know these numbers are not final and are preliminary and may change as we continue to evaluate them. I share this example so you can see the challenge we will have moving forward.
The new system will give us vision into our budget and programs that we have never had before. We are all able to look at our spending a new way. Stay tuned!
Thank you for the faith and trust you give to us as your commissioners and for your support. If you have any questions please email me at [email protected] and I will always respond back to you.
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