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<br />e Ms. Ehrman questioned the need for an independent auditor. She suggested <br /> that the Community Attitudes Survey would be sufficient to gain the <br /> additional information from the community that is required without further <br /> delegating the council's responsibility for financial decision making. <br /> Mr. Holmer expressed frustration with delaying budgeting decisions by <br /> initiating a strategic planning process. He said that the council needs to <br /> define its operating priorities and make budget decisions based on those <br /> priorities. <br /> Mr. Bennett expressed his support for a strategic planning process because it <br /> attempts to identify the community's desire for financial expenditures. He <br /> also offered his support for an independent audit of City functions to offer <br /> guidance on financial matters and, more importantly, to gain public <br /> confidence in the City's financial system. <br /> Ms. McMillen agreed with Mr. Bennett that involving community members in <br /> financial planning decisions is an effective way to improve public confidence <br /> in the financial system. <br /> Mr. McLoud emphasized that in order to achieve community consensus on <br /> financial matters, the public must first be educated about the City's <br /> financial problems. After that, the council can ask for feedback on the <br /> community's financial priorities. <br /> Mr. Eberly said that the community has demonstrated that the City needs to <br />e reduce its spending and has indicated that the council needs to prioritize <br /> its funding strategies. <br /> Mr. Miller highlighted the difficulty of achieving community consensus on <br /> budget cutbacks. <br /> Mr. Boles noted that the results of the Community Attitudes Survey revealed <br /> that 73 percent of those surveyed were satisfied with how the City conducts <br /> its business. Mr. Eberly indicated that perhaps the community is satisfied <br /> because it does not understand that the City is overspending. <br /> Mr. Green offered his support for a strategic planning process and <br /> contracting with an independent auditor. <br /> Mr. Rutan pointed out that one positive result of a strategic planning <br /> process might be to make the council aware of innovative budgeting strategies <br /> which have achieved success within other communities. <br /> Ms. Hawkins said that a strategic planning process has merit because of its <br /> ability to formulate new strategies for deficit reduction. She emphasized <br /> that the City needs to identify new sources of revenue and said that it would <br /> be a mistake for the City to continue its present level of services at the <br /> expense of its capital. <br />e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 1, 1990 Page 5 <br />