CommentsOPEN LETTER TO MAYOR GARCETTI--The Budget Advocates, at their last meeting, passed the following motion.
The intent is to allow a full, transparent access to the city budget process.
Over the years, the Budget Advocates have dug deeper and deeper, making over 700 recommendations to the City, with more than 50% of them implemented, and another 20% are being worked on, as we are told.
The issue is that we usually are presenting AFTER the fact. The budget is in place already and our immediate input to the current fiscal budget being released is negated by the timing.
To be truly open and transparent, the below motion should be implemented asap.
As always, we are appreciative of all staff citywide, and especially that of the Mayor and CAO, for the help we currently get in doing our charter mandated job.
I await your positive response.
Motion to create a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Los Angeles and the Budget Advocates whereby:
(1) There shall be a minimum of three meetings per year between the Budget Advocates and the Mayor:
(a) one, sufficiently in advance of the release of the Mayor’s letter to the Departments to ensure the needs of stakeholders are included in the request on what Departments address in their budgets;
(b) a second, sufficiently in advance of the release of the Mayor’s proposed budget to ensure the Budget Advocates’ concerns are addressed and serious consideration given to including their recommendations; and
(c) a third, immediately following the final vote on the City Council’s Adopted Budget to address their changes and how the Mayor plans to address prospective oversights and overages..
(2) The Budget Advocates’ Co-Chairs shall be copied on the Mayor’s Budget Policy and Goals memo and similar documents on an ongoing basis for distribution to the Budget Advocates.
(3) Independent fiscal and/or City pensions consultant, engaged and paid by the City, shall be made available to the Budget Advocates upon request to assist in their assessment of the City’s financial situation.
(4) With regards to all meetings between the CAO’s office and City departments concerning Department budgets for the upcoming fiscal year:
(a) the Budget Advocates shall be advised of the time and place and supplied with an agenda for each such meetings in a timely manner; and
(b) one or two Budget Advocates shall have the right to attend each such meeting and/or submit a brief statement to the CAO’s office of the Budget Advocates’ concerns about issues to be discussed.
(5) All Budget Advocates shall be invited to attend in the main room of the Mayor’s Conference when the Budget is released to the public.
Your prompt attention to this matter will be appreciated.
(Jay Handal is Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates.)
-cw
