There are plenty of reasons why cities and counties focus on short-term fiscal needs. Here are some advantages for those who change that risky mindset.
SAN ANTONIO — In the world of city and county budgeting, the “balancing of the short term and long term is one of those inherent difficulties with local government.”
That’s according to Kurt Wilson, the city manager in Stockton, California. He should know. Wilson was appointed to his position in January 2014, just 10 weeks after the city of 300,000 residents located about 50 miles south of Sacramento had entered bankruptcy.
“A bankruptcy is the result of a series of bad decisions,” Wilson said this week during an educational session on long-term budget forecasting at the International City / County Management Association’s annual conference, which wrapped up Wednesday in San Antonio. “It’s difficult for an elected official to make long-term decisions” when re-election and trying to please everyone are top of mind, he said.
ROUTE FIFTY
BILL GRASS
OCTOBER 26, 2017