The Municipal Budget Crunch

Roger L. Kemp, Ph.D., has been a city manager of West and East Coasts cities for more than 25 years and holds the International City/County Management Association designations of Credentialed City Manager and Legacy Leader. He is a graduate of the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He also has been a visiting scholar, senior adjunct professor, professorial lecturer at leading universities, including the University of California, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut. Roger is also a frequent speaker on contemporary issues facing cities.

table of contents

acknowledgments   viii

Preface   1

part i. introduction

1. The Fiscal Crisis and America’s Cities

Derek Okubo   7

2. Balancing Budgets with Job and Service Reductions

Christopher W. Hoene and Jacqueline J. Byers   13

3. Prudent Options for Balancing City Budgets

Roger L. Kemp   17

4. Saving Money by Contracting for Public Services

Amanda M. Girth and Jocelyn M. Johnston   22

5. Innovative Staffing Options Help Balance Budgets

Laura Kushner   25

6. Evaluating the Results of Staffing Decisions Beforehand

Lisa Rund and
7. Options to Ensure Fiscal Health During Tough Times

Alan Kemp   32

8. Strategies to Ensure Long-Term Fiscal Health

Jeff Schott   35

9. Financial Measures to Restore America’s Infrastructure

Nancy Mann Jackson   38

part ii. best practices

10. Ann Arbor Uses Economic Development to Increase Its Revenues

Craig Chavez   41

11. Arlington and Other Cities Share Services to Reduce Costs

Monte Mercer   44

12. Auburn and Adjoining City Consolidate Services

Liz Chapman Mockler   49

13. Boca Raton Develops Long-Range Financial Plans

Linda C. Davidson   53

14. Chandler and Other Cities Use Volunteers to Provide Services

David Bigos   57

15. Charlotte and Other Cities Implement Employee Wellness Programs

Robert Barkin   65

16. Chicago Uses Citizen Input to Make Budget Decisions

Josh Lerner   68

17. Cincinnati and Other Cities Improve Public Trust in Government

Sheryl Sculley   74

18. Colorado Springs Uses Citizens to Evaluate Public Services

Zach Patton   76

19. Coral Springs and Other Cities Focus on Financial Planning

Shayne Kavanagh   81

20. Denver and Other Cities Use Performance Results to Make Budget Decisions

Melanie McKinney-Gonzales   86

21. Des Moines and Other Cities Seek Citizen Input on Public Services

Barbara J. Cohn Berman   89

22. Elgin and Other Cities Use Public Managers to Address Fiscal Issues

Elizabeth Kellar   96

23. Eugene Uses Citizens to Improve Its Budget Process

Donald J. Borut, Melissa Germanese and William Barnes   102

24. Gardena’s Public Manager Improves City Finances

Lynn Peisner   108

25. Hanover and Other Cities Implement Generic Service Reductions

Joe Casey and Shayne Kavanagh   112

26. Harrisburg and Other Cities Revise Their Property Tax Structure

Walter Rybeck   117

27. Las Vegas and Other Cities Reassess Their Basic Services

Karen Thoreson and James H. Svara   120

28. Lewiston and Other Cities Consider Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens

Douglas Ro...