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CITIES OF THE SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH CLASS. <br />IV-J METROPOLITAN COUNCIL BUDGET <br />The Metropolitan Council has an annual budget of several <br />million dollars and impacts the two million people living in the <br />metropolitan area. The resident: have the right to know how <br />their money is being spent; therefore, the annual budget is a <br />tremendously important document. It should convey enough <br />information so that the residents can determine what product is <br />being produced and how much the product costs. Also the budget <br />should be 1cepared early enough in the annual adoption process so <br />that the residents can provide meaningful input as to program <br />activities and program priorities. The Metropolitan Council has <br />taken steps to improve its budget process and we commend them for <br />this. The following suggestions are made to help the Council <br />upgrade its budget process further. <br />J-1 BUDGET DETAIL AND SPECIFICITY <br />As noted, the Annual Budget and Work Program has been improved in <br />re,-_nt years to contain more detail and specificity which enables <br />Interest groups to make more reasontd recommendations. Further <br />improvements should be made. <br />MANDATED OR NON DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES <br />SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED. PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY <br />BE DISCRETIONARY BUT ARE TOTALLY FUNDED BY A FEDERA:, OR STATE <br />GRANT SHOULD A:.SO BE IDENTIFIED. MORE INFORMATION SHOULD BE <br />PROVIDED AS TO PREVIOUS YEARS EXPENDITURES FOR ON -GOING PROGRAMS, <br />PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES. <br />J POST HEARING BUDGET INCREASE <br />In at least each of the last two years, the Council has <br />significantly increaE6ft 4ts budget several months into the budget tr< <br />year. The AMM belie =this detracts significantly from the fir <br />official open budge' process and should not tecome an annua: <br />occurrence. <br />THE; METROPOLITAN COUNCIL SHOULD REVIEW ITS TOTAL BUDGET PROCESS <br />SO TEAT IT HAS APPROPRIA:'E FACTUAL INFORMATION AT THE TIME IT <br />ADOPTS THE ANNUAL FUDGET AND WORK PROGRAM TO PRECLUDE THE: NEED FOR <br />MAJOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS AFTER INITIAL ADOPTION. IF BUDGET <br />AMENDMENTS ARE NECESSARY, THE: COUNCIL SHOU:.D ENSURE THAT THE <br />AMENDMENT PROCESS PROVIDES ADEQUATE: NOTICE TO THE PUB:.IC AND THAT <br />THE PUBLIC BE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT. <br />J-3 RELIANCE: Ot� PROPERTY TAXE:; <br />' 1 • R.If � r • • 1 . � \ <br />