Washoe County’s
Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC)
Budget Dilemma
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Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC)
Dec. 15, 2010
This the fourth and final meeting in this series of meetings where the OEC has been tasked with reviewing and possibly making recommendations as how Washoe County should approach the budget process. For background see previous article.
Washoe County Budget Manager Darin Conforti offered as a definition for “Core Service” the following (saying that “it has everything but the kitchen sink”) —
A core service is one that is a service central to fulfilling the Board’s (BCC) mission and vision of making Washoe County a safe, secure community where people desire to live, work, recreate and invest in.
The Budget Manager further offered as examples—
- The current four tier method is –
- Public safety
- Judicial, Health and Social Services
- General Government Services
- Culture and Recreation Services
- A two tier method (Budget Manager did not identify this method)
- Core services
- Non-Core services
- A three tier method
- Public safety services
- Security and health services
- Services that support life, working and investing in the county
- A four tier method
- Public safety services
- Security and health services
- Services that support life, working and investing in the county
- Services in transition
OEC member Gene Brockman stated, “The Budget Manager’s definition does include the kitchen sink.” Brockman further stated, “That in order to get to what are core services, you need to know, what was the purpose of county government when it was started and not what has been added over the years.” Staff objected to this approach!
County manager Katy Simon diverted that line of inquiry. She mentioned a discussion held the previous day, “we are not necessarily thinking about going back, but the times we live in demand we go forward.”
Rand Tanner noted that as he looks around the room he is doing a cost analysis of how much it is costing for all of the staff people sitting around the room at all their meetings.
Further stating, that he is getting tired of defining core services and wants to get something done.
OEC member Jesse Haw made a motion to –
Adopt the Budget Manager’s two-tier model, core and non-core services adding services in transition. With Core services having the Budget Manager’s definition.
After seeking and receiving approval from the County Manager - the motion carried.
After thanking the OEC members, County manager Katy Simon stated that we can discuss ways of doing more in regard to these issues in the future.
Commentary
After four meetings, six hours of official meeting time plus uncounted hours of staff time, the essence of what was accomplished was they went from a four tier model to a two tier model, core and non-core services. Core services are defined as including everything! – Kitchen-sink notwithstanding. Effectively a one-tier model was adopted with everything being of equal priority. It is questionable whether or not the result conforms to the objective of the original task!
Conclusion:
If and when more budget cutting is necessary, what will the BCC be able to do if they strictly follow OEC guidelines?
© 2010 Barry Bouchard
Italicized print represents editor’s comments.
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Guideline n.
1. A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
2. A plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action.
3. A guideline is any document that aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine.
By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory (protocol would be a better term for a mandatory procedure). Guidelines are an essential part of the larger process of governance
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