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BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION: SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS

BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION: SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS. South Central Assembly Summit June 13, 2012. FIRST THINGS FIRST…. Stabilize finances Establish organizational infrastructure Change the culture/ improve service delivery. LET THE CHIPS FALL….

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BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION: SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS

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  1. BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION:SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS South Central Assembly Summit June 13, 2012

  2. FIRST THINGS FIRST… • Stabilize finances • Establish organizational infrastructure • Change the culture/ improve service delivery

  3. LET THE CHIPS FALL… • DCED Early Intervention Program: Comprehensive Audit • Engage business and community leaders • Create community – neighborhood meetings • Build a team – workforce meetings

  4. OPERATIONS: “… need an extreme makeover.” • Critical investment in the City’s corporate infrastructure has been neglected. • Investment in human and technological capital is lacking. • Investment in facilities and operations has been limited at best.

  5. FINANCES: “The future is bleak.” • REVENUES: 2% annual growth rate • EXPENSES: 5 to 6 % annual growth rate (health insurance = 18% growth rate) • “If nothing is done to reverse these trends, initial projections show a $69 million cumulative deficit by 2012.”

  6. IT’S NOW OR NEVER “Continued neglect will increase operating costs and make it more difficult to provide good customer service.” “The primary findings of the report are that the City of Lancaster must upgrade its corporate and physical infrastructure, while at the same time addressing a serious fiscal situation.” -- Management Partners September 2007

  7. Organizational Development • Strategic Planning • Staff meetings & work site visits • Customer Centered Culture: “Off the bus.” • Human Resources: Performance Measures, Salary Scales, Job Descriptions, Training

  8. operations • Leased computers • Shared IT Services • Phone systems • Facilities assessments

  9. REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS • Voluntary Contribution Program • Fees based on cost-recovery • Credit cards accepted for payments • Capital Budget used to fund infrastructure and other investments • Settled Worker’s comp claims • Sold Property liens • Collection of delinquent accounts • Tax increases

  10. CUT EXPENSES • Contract concessions • Lay-offs • Early retirement buy-outs • Hiring freezes • Salary freezes • Merit vs. Cost of living adjustments

  11. A COMMON VISION PROVIDE THE IDEAL URBAN EXPERIENCE

  12. OUR ENVIRONMENT • Public art • Design standards and streetscape enhancements • Park improvements • Green Infrastructure • Public buildings • Utilities – water, recycling, solid waste

  13. OUR NEIGHBORHOODS • Rental property registration and licensing • Code Enforcement • Administrative Ticketing • SWEEP

  14. OUR PARTNERS • Institutional: F&M, MU, PCAD, LGH • Other Non-Profits: Religious, Social Service, Housing, Philanthropic • Community Development Groups: SACA, JSID, DID • Business Groups: Lancaster Alliance, Lancaster Chamber • Arts & Culture: Lancaster Arts

  15. THE FUTURE PROSPER OR PERISH: FINANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA

  16. MUNICIPAL FINANCE TASK FORCE • Local governments must be given a menu of options for generating revenue. • The public safety contract arbitration system (Act 111) must be reformed. • State-mandated defined benefits must give way to consolidation of pension plans at the statewide level. • Inter-municipal shared services must be heavily incentivized and, in some cases, mandated. • Property tax reform must happen.

  17. FOR MORE INFORMATION… www.cityoflancasterpa.com http://www.philadelphiafed.org/community-development/ Pat Brogan Mayor’s Office, City of Lancaster pbrogan@cityoflancasterpa.com 717.291.4701

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