It seemed almost fitting that my last week as an intern started out with a trip to Mesa for a meeting with staff from the City of Mesa’s Management, Performance, and Accountability office. The meeting was scheduled in order to learn the steps Mesa took to implement performance measures and benchmarks. Casa Grande has been working on its performance measurement systems but has run into difficulty in having a successful program with meaningful measures. I had been to Mesa and talked to these folks before but this time I brought with me an entourage consisting of our Deputy City Manager, Senior Management Analyst, and another Management Analyst from the city manager’s office.
Mesa has a well thought out performance measurement system that rivals many others. I was really glad that my Deputy City Manager actually wanted to come and made it a point to make time in his schedule to come out with. I say this because what is really unique about Mesa’s performance measures are that it is driven by the City Manager, Chris Brady. I learned that he is a very data driven manager and unlike other initiatives pushed by a city manager, Mesa’s performance measures continue to work closely with its city manager. Every program manager meets with the city manager to review their program, performance measures, and benchmark.
It’s difficult enough for a person to be a room filled with all of the city’s executive managers but Chris Brady goes a step forward and challenges everyone to truly evaluate and be critical on the progress their program is doing. He’s not looking to put anyone on the spot but get his employees, particularly his management staff, to be constantly analyzing and understand what their program or department is doing. Mesa has not perfected performance measures by any means but has made great strides in making them a city wide function that is part of the management and budgeting of the city’s services.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Final Week of MPA
It’s hard to imagine this will be the final week of school. While classes are all but done, just one more final to finish, this may very well be the last time I set foot on a university campus as a student. My experience here in Arizona has been great. I’ve been fortunate to have met many wonderful people. I can’t imagine what my experience would be like if I had stayed with my original choice to attend American University in Washington D.C. It would have been different that’s for sure.
As I made my way through my MPA I met many people that went through the same program. I was somewhat shocked to learn that many of the professors at ASU’s School of Public Affairs had been there for a very long time. They have taught generations of public administrators and sadly several of them have left or will leave soon. This year seems to mark the end of an era that ushered in the new downtown campus, established one of preeminent MPA fellowship programs, attracted ICMA and the Alliance for Innovation to ASU, and gain legitimacy by ranking in the top 10 programs for public administration and urban management. I started to think of the changes the School of Public Affairs has gone through in the last two years and the people that made it such a unique school. Below is a partial list of people I can remember.
Frank Sakton, Professor Emeritus: Professor Sakton passed away this early this year and while I never had the honor of taking one of his classes I heard many great things about him. He continued to teach and serve on dissertation comities despite being in his 90’s. He will be missed and truly a lost to ASU.
Larry Terry: many of us remember Professor Terry as a rigorous yet fun professor. He was an exceptional professor and though he left before I could have a class with him I remember having great conversations every time I ran into the hall with him. He moved NY and teaches at Long Island University if I remember correctly.
Edgar Ramirez: he was another professor I never had but got to know during my time with the Alliance. He was great to talk to and was passionate about the subject he taught. He eventually took a position with a university in Mexico City.
Ronald Perry: Professor Perry finally took the plunge and decided to retire last year. He was a great professor and I will always remember some of the conversations I had with him in his office. I was in his 502 class last spring, the last class he would teach and still remember how good his cookies were. He was a funny man who really knew his stuff. It was all the more amazing how many people knew him outside the university.
Heather Campbell: Sadly I had 502 with Professor Perry but I was looking forward to taking her 505 class before they pulled it from the schedule and had to take it with another professor. She’s leaving the school now and it’s a real blow to the school because she was a great methods and public policy professor. Wish he well at Claremont.
Nan Ellin: was director of the urban and metropolitan studies program at the school. She left the School of Public Affairs to move down the street and become the Planning Program Director for the School of Geographical Sciences and Planning
Robert Denhardt: He ushered in the school into a new campus, established the Marvin Andrews Graduate program, brought the Alliance for Innovation to ASU, apparently can sing pretty good too from what I’ve been told. He steps down now as director of the school and looks forward to traveling and spending time in his home Washington.
Listing all these people and knowing how small our school is compared to other programs, I start to wonder what will become of the school. Other professors will likely retire soon too. Professor Chapman will retire in a couple of years and it’s reasonable to assume that Professor Cayer and Professor Hall may do so as well. Regardless I’ve had a great experience and learn so much from many of the professors I’ve come to know in classes and through conversations in the hallways.
As I made my way through my MPA I met many people that went through the same program. I was somewhat shocked to learn that many of the professors at ASU’s School of Public Affairs had been there for a very long time. They have taught generations of public administrators and sadly several of them have left or will leave soon. This year seems to mark the end of an era that ushered in the new downtown campus, established one of preeminent MPA fellowship programs, attracted ICMA and the Alliance for Innovation to ASU, and gain legitimacy by ranking in the top 10 programs for public administration and urban management. I started to think of the changes the School of Public Affairs has gone through in the last two years and the people that made it such a unique school. Below is a partial list of people I can remember.
Frank Sakton, Professor Emeritus: Professor Sakton passed away this early this year and while I never had the honor of taking one of his classes I heard many great things about him. He continued to teach and serve on dissertation comities despite being in his 90’s. He will be missed and truly a lost to ASU.
Larry Terry: many of us remember Professor Terry as a rigorous yet fun professor. He was an exceptional professor and though he left before I could have a class with him I remember having great conversations every time I ran into the hall with him. He moved NY and teaches at Long Island University if I remember correctly.
Edgar Ramirez: he was another professor I never had but got to know during my time with the Alliance. He was great to talk to and was passionate about the subject he taught. He eventually took a position with a university in Mexico City.
Ronald Perry: Professor Perry finally took the plunge and decided to retire last year. He was a great professor and I will always remember some of the conversations I had with him in his office. I was in his 502 class last spring, the last class he would teach and still remember how good his cookies were. He was a funny man who really knew his stuff. It was all the more amazing how many people knew him outside the university.
Heather Campbell: Sadly I had 502 with Professor Perry but I was looking forward to taking her 505 class before they pulled it from the schedule and had to take it with another professor. She’s leaving the school now and it’s a real blow to the school because she was a great methods and public policy professor. Wish he well at Claremont.
Nan Ellin: was director of the urban and metropolitan studies program at the school. She left the School of Public Affairs to move down the street and become the Planning Program Director for the School of Geographical Sciences and Planning
Robert Denhardt: He ushered in the school into a new campus, established the Marvin Andrews Graduate program, brought the Alliance for Innovation to ASU, apparently can sing pretty good too from what I’ve been told. He steps down now as director of the school and looks forward to traveling and spending time in his home Washington.
Listing all these people and knowing how small our school is compared to other programs, I start to wonder what will become of the school. Other professors will likely retire soon too. Professor Chapman will retire in a couple of years and it’s reasonable to assume that Professor Cayer and Professor Hall may do so as well. Regardless I’ve had a great experience and learn so much from many of the professors I’ve come to know in classes and through conversations in the hallways.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Pensions and Retirements in CA
I know I’m only 25 and just graduating with my masters but is it too soon to start thinking of pensions and retirement? I mean, come on, before I know it the time will be here when I can step back and spend the rest of my days in leisure. Oh wait, what do you mean there might not be any more pension systems? What do you mean I shouldn’t rely on the market? It worked out well for so many others before me. Oh wait, that’s right…I forgot the markets went south really fast in the past couple of years.
I came across two troubling articles last week on the City of Los Angeles and state of California in general. In Los Angeles’ case former Mayor Richard Riordan is warning that the city will need to file for bankruptcy “unless major policy decisions are made”. LA bankrupt…what!! I found it hard to imagine but according to an LA Times article the city’s pension burden is a big reason for its financial woes. Would you like to retire with a pension worth 90% of your current salary? Apparently all you have to do is become a City of Los Angeles firefighter or police officer. Regular employees receive pretty good pensions too. Riordan favors transitioning from employee pensions to 401Ks. Wait, the same 401ks that tanked with the market meltdown?
The state in general is not any better either. According to Girard Miller’s article in Governing, the real-time deficit for both state and local government retirement plans — including both pensions and retiree medical plans — is roughly $325 billion. “That's almost equal to the total bonded indebtedness of the state and all public agencies in California.” There are a wide range of reasons as to why California and many of its local governments got into this mess. Least among them is poor planning and future foresightedness. I wonder what Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will say now in his commercials to attract business and people to California.
I came across two troubling articles last week on the City of Los Angeles and state of California in general. In Los Angeles’ case former Mayor Richard Riordan is warning that the city will need to file for bankruptcy “unless major policy decisions are made”. LA bankrupt…what!! I found it hard to imagine but according to an LA Times article the city’s pension burden is a big reason for its financial woes. Would you like to retire with a pension worth 90% of your current salary? Apparently all you have to do is become a City of Los Angeles firefighter or police officer. Regular employees receive pretty good pensions too. Riordan favors transitioning from employee pensions to 401Ks. Wait, the same 401ks that tanked with the market meltdown?
The state in general is not any better either. According to Girard Miller’s article in Governing, the real-time deficit for both state and local government retirement plans — including both pensions and retiree medical plans — is roughly $325 billion. “That's almost equal to the total bonded indebtedness of the state and all public agencies in California.” There are a wide range of reasons as to why California and many of its local governments got into this mess. Least among them is poor planning and future foresightedness. I wonder what Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will say now in his commercials to attract business and people to California.
Juveniles
Friday while I was doing some research on a new project I happen to come across an Interview with Author and Activist Luis J. Rodríguez. Rodríguez is a former gang member who became an author and community activist. He travels throughout the country spreading his message of community-building and hope. The interview was relatively short but I related and agreed on much of what he said. In particular I was captured by the following question and answer he gave:
“Q. How can people build positive communities in places where violence is so prevalent?
A. I think we have to listen to the kids who are the most troubled. You have to look at the root of problem because otherwise we tend to hack at the branches but never get to the roots. If you look at the roots of the problem, you’re looking at poverty, jobs, and lack of real educational opportunities. You’re looking at people feeling that they have no way to move up. I think that these are hard-working people, but sometimes there are no ladders to climb. I think it’s important that we help create those ladders.”
I whole-heartedly agree with Rodríguez having worked as a teaching assistant at school for teens that were under expulsion from the school district or considered high risk. I know what many of these students face and have to go through. Currently I volunteer twice a month with the Maricopa Juvenile Probation Department and I like to think that the juveniles I come across are genuinely good but need greater guidance. I hear some cases and think that they’re lucky they’re in front of my panel and not a judge where they potentially can face jail time. But I strongly agree that to solve many of the problems in a community you have to ask those having the most problems. Only after we have serious conversations and listen to the real troubles juveniles are facing will we begin to address the problems in many of our communities.
“Q. How can people build positive communities in places where violence is so prevalent?
A. I think we have to listen to the kids who are the most troubled. You have to look at the root of problem because otherwise we tend to hack at the branches but never get to the roots. If you look at the roots of the problem, you’re looking at poverty, jobs, and lack of real educational opportunities. You’re looking at people feeling that they have no way to move up. I think that these are hard-working people, but sometimes there are no ladders to climb. I think it’s important that we help create those ladders.”
I whole-heartedly agree with Rodríguez having worked as a teaching assistant at school for teens that were under expulsion from the school district or considered high risk. I know what many of these students face and have to go through. Currently I volunteer twice a month with the Maricopa Juvenile Probation Department and I like to think that the juveniles I come across are genuinely good but need greater guidance. I hear some cases and think that they’re lucky they’re in front of my panel and not a judge where they potentially can face jail time. But I strongly agree that to solve many of the problems in a community you have to ask those having the most problems. Only after we have serious conversations and listen to the real troubles juveniles are facing will we begin to address the problems in many of our communities.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Student Loans and For-Profit Schools
As I’m nearing the end of my college education, probably for the good now, I’m starting to organize and plan the next couple of years of my life. Among everything includes my student loans. I don’t regret taking out loans and do not believe that I have very much considered I’ll be getting my master’s degree. Certainly utilizing student loans provided me with the financial security to pursue interests of mine and have opportunities and experience that I’ve enjoyed and benefitted me greatly.
I don’t regret incurring student loans or going to public universities for my undergrad and grad school but this year I’ve come across several stories about for-profit schools. For-profit schools have far greater default rates than public and not-for-profit private universities. Despite this, for-profit schools are the largest issuers of student loans. What I mean by this is that for-profit schools like University of Phoenix, culinary schools, and other technical schools rely on funneling their students to student loans for financial aid.
Students at these for-profit schools pay thousands more in education and are misguided into obtaining student loans. When students graduate they often have difficulty in finding jobs or jobs that pay high enough to cover the basic minimum payment of their loans. For these schools it doesn’t matter whether or not the students are able to pay back the loan. These schools are paid upfront and have a bottom line to worry about. Many of them have investors which expect a return in their investments. Its very troublesome to know that schools like this continue to grow in popularity.
I don’t regret incurring student loans or going to public universities for my undergrad and grad school but this year I’ve come across several stories about for-profit schools. For-profit schools have far greater default rates than public and not-for-profit private universities. Despite this, for-profit schools are the largest issuers of student loans. What I mean by this is that for-profit schools like University of Phoenix, culinary schools, and other technical schools rely on funneling their students to student loans for financial aid.
Students at these for-profit schools pay thousands more in education and are misguided into obtaining student loans. When students graduate they often have difficulty in finding jobs or jobs that pay high enough to cover the basic minimum payment of their loans. For these schools it doesn’t matter whether or not the students are able to pay back the loan. These schools are paid upfront and have a bottom line to worry about. Many of them have investors which expect a return in their investments. Its very troublesome to know that schools like this continue to grow in popularity.
Compensation Seminar
Last Thursday I attended a seminar at put on by the Alliance for Innovation. The seminar was titled “Compensation and benefits Issues and Trends Across the Generations” and was facilitated by Rollie Waters. It was very interesting for me considering that I wasn’t very familiar with the subject so my mind was like a sponge just trying to absorb everything. Rollie Waters is the president of Waters Consulting. The Waters group focuses on many human resources related issues and also works conducts executive recruitment.
The seminar went for 3.5 hours and a great deal of information was covered. I especially found interesting his point about internal equity. I never really think about fairness in jobs between two different positions in an organization. What he means is that you have to understand and be ok with other positions earning what they earn. In other words a planner and recreation coordinator understand the responsibility, demands, qualifications, etc. that both positions entail. This leads to acceptance of the salary each earns.
It’s easy to have feelings of unfairness in an organization. In today’s economy employees look at each other and perceive their positions in a much more critical manner. As salaries are being cut and layoffs being implemented, this forces people to become defensive. As one progresses in their careers and naturally earns higher salaries it becomes easy to for people to judge. The challenge will always be in trying to find a balance for fairness in an organization.
The seminar went for 3.5 hours and a great deal of information was covered. I especially found interesting his point about internal equity. I never really think about fairness in jobs between two different positions in an organization. What he means is that you have to understand and be ok with other positions earning what they earn. In other words a planner and recreation coordinator understand the responsibility, demands, qualifications, etc. that both positions entail. This leads to acceptance of the salary each earns.
It’s easy to have feelings of unfairness in an organization. In today’s economy employees look at each other and perceive their positions in a much more critical manner. As salaries are being cut and layoffs being implemented, this forces people to become defensive. As one progresses in their careers and naturally earns higher salaries it becomes easy to for people to judge. The challenge will always be in trying to find a balance for fairness in an organization.
Animal Control
You ever see those commercials from ASPCA or the Humane Society reminding you to spay and neuter your cat and dog? The message was driven home for me a few weeks ago when I paid a visit to our animal shelter. I was doing some research on our animal control division and decided I would schedule a meeting with the division supervisor over at the shelter as appose to my office or the police department where she occasionally pops in and out of. Our animal shelter is less than a year old and I had yet to tour the facility.
In my meeting a learned a great deal about how animal control services and shelters operate. There is no down time as an animal control officer. Our animal control division receives a large volume of calls every month. Despite being a new facility and larger than the previous one we still operate at full capacity, sometime over capacity, nearly every week. I wish I could say that many of our animals are adopted out but truth is many of them are put down. Some animals simply cannot be kept as pets while others go unclaimed.
After I met with the division supervisor she gave me a quick tour of the facility. I can understand how animal control officers can become mentally burned out. So many animals are forgotten, owners never claimed them, and many are put down. How many of us have the strength to put down a dog or cat? Now imagine doing 5, 10, 15 at a time. Moral of the story, spay and neuter your pets and never get an animal unless your certain you want it and can take care of it. Its not just a matter of food and water but time and attention.
In my meeting a learned a great deal about how animal control services and shelters operate. There is no down time as an animal control officer. Our animal control division receives a large volume of calls every month. Despite being a new facility and larger than the previous one we still operate at full capacity, sometime over capacity, nearly every week. I wish I could say that many of our animals are adopted out but truth is many of them are put down. Some animals simply cannot be kept as pets while others go unclaimed.
After I met with the division supervisor she gave me a quick tour of the facility. I can understand how animal control officers can become mentally burned out. So many animals are forgotten, owners never claimed them, and many are put down. How many of us have the strength to put down a dog or cat? Now imagine doing 5, 10, 15 at a time. Moral of the story, spay and neuter your pets and never get an animal unless your certain you want it and can take care of it. Its not just a matter of food and water but time and attention.
Bumpy Roads
When I first started in Casa Grande I hadn’t really paid attention to the condition the streets were in. For the most part I drove on major streets and had no reason or didn’t know the little shortcuts that save you time. It wasn’t until my office was moved to city that I learned of the back way that saves a few minutes and avoids a school zone. All this time I had come down Pinal Ave and every time I’d drive through the school zone where the speed limit was reduced to 15mph.
One week I decided to cut through some of the small side streets in an attempt to find a better route. I quickly noticed just how bad the road was. At work we sometimes joke about how bad some of the streets are. As much as Casa Grande has spent on infrastructure and capital projects I would have thought that roads would be repaved. The problem was that because the city grew so fast there simply wasn’t time or money to do it all.
In all fairness the city just completed a major expansion of key east-west street – Cottonwood Lane. This is meant to alleviate traffic on Florence Blvd, the city’s major downtown street. Additional street improvements were in the works but had to be delayed due to the state sweeping funds from local governments. Eventually we’ll have smooth roads but for now I’ll wish from time to time I had an off road vehicle to drive through some of these street. At least that way my drive would be smoother.
One week I decided to cut through some of the small side streets in an attempt to find a better route. I quickly noticed just how bad the road was. At work we sometimes joke about how bad some of the streets are. As much as Casa Grande has spent on infrastructure and capital projects I would have thought that roads would be repaved. The problem was that because the city grew so fast there simply wasn’t time or money to do it all.
In all fairness the city just completed a major expansion of key east-west street – Cottonwood Lane. This is meant to alleviate traffic on Florence Blvd, the city’s major downtown street. Additional street improvements were in the works but had to be delayed due to the state sweeping funds from local governments. Eventually we’ll have smooth roads but for now I’ll wish from time to time I had an off road vehicle to drive through some of these street. At least that way my drive would be smoother.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Invocations at Council Meetins
I haven’t been to city council meetings in many cities but the ones I have gone to or scene usually open up with a religious invocation. I never really questioned it. In my mind I always thought that such a practice was reasonably OK so long as different religions were offered the opportunity to perform the invocations.
This is why I was a little surprised to read in the Los Angeles Times that the City of Lancaster, CA was being sued over prayer invocation at city council. Its not like residents don’t want it. In fact they voted to make it official city policy last month and passed it overwhelmingly according to the article.The suit was filed by an attorney representing to unrelated women, one is a Christian and the other is Jewish. The article doesn’t really say why only to point out that the plaintiffs feel it violates the 1st amendment.
In Casa Grande, to the best of my recollection, invocations are performed at all council meetings. Sometimes when there isn’t a religious group is at the meeting the council will ask someone in the audience or even a staff member, usually a department director, to perform the invocation. It seems to have always been customary. While I don’t see a problem with invocations at council meetings I think one solutions I to simply have a moment of silence and let people do what they chose. They can pray or chose not to.
This is why I was a little surprised to read in the Los Angeles Times that the City of Lancaster, CA was being sued over prayer invocation at city council. Its not like residents don’t want it. In fact they voted to make it official city policy last month and passed it overwhelmingly according to the article.The suit was filed by an attorney representing to unrelated women, one is a Christian and the other is Jewish. The article doesn’t really say why only to point out that the plaintiffs feel it violates the 1st amendment.
In Casa Grande, to the best of my recollection, invocations are performed at all council meetings. Sometimes when there isn’t a religious group is at the meeting the council will ask someone in the audience or even a staff member, usually a department director, to perform the invocation. It seems to have always been customary. While I don’t see a problem with invocations at council meetings I think one solutions I to simply have a moment of silence and let people do what they chose. They can pray or chose not to.
Constantly learning even the basics
I never thought as myself as a technology expert but lately I have realized how much I know about basic computer software such as Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office. The various projects I have worked on have forced me to polish my skills and knowledge of those applications. As progress in my position as a Management Analyst I will learn business applications I have never come across before. In my position I essentially have to learn how to use the basic functions of a variety of software applications.
As I reached this conclusion I realized just how much I can continue to learn. As I reach graduation I was looking forward to putting down the textbooks. It appears now that I will be trading one textbook for a guide or manual of some sort of computer software. I always liked the idea of learning GIS but know that I will never use to the extent it is taught in certification programs.
No, I think to be successful in my positions and my career I need to develop a well rounded skill set in a variety of subjects related to city government. I also need to learn a basic knowledge as it applies to all the city departments. I’ve learned a great deal about law enforcement and law that govern they’re activates. I’ve learned a little more than just the basics about sales taxes, property taxes and the impact they have on budgets. With the variety of departments and divisions it may be a while before I developed a good knowledge and skill base. Never-the-less, I intend on continue to expand my knowledge and possibly continue my education with another masters or may be even a doctorate degree.
As I reached this conclusion I realized just how much I can continue to learn. As I reach graduation I was looking forward to putting down the textbooks. It appears now that I will be trading one textbook for a guide or manual of some sort of computer software. I always liked the idea of learning GIS but know that I will never use to the extent it is taught in certification programs.
No, I think to be successful in my positions and my career I need to develop a well rounded skill set in a variety of subjects related to city government. I also need to learn a basic knowledge as it applies to all the city departments. I’ve learned a great deal about law enforcement and law that govern they’re activates. I’ve learned a little more than just the basics about sales taxes, property taxes and the impact they have on budgets. With the variety of departments and divisions it may be a while before I developed a good knowledge and skill base. Never-the-less, I intend on continue to expand my knowledge and possibly continue my education with another masters or may be even a doctorate degree.
More on SN 1070
Friday’s incident where a Pinal County Sheriffs deputy was ambushed by drug smugglers only served to add to the attention Senate Bill 1070 already is getting. My cell phone has been inundated with calls and messages from friends and family since the bill was past. What will cities do? Will Casa Grande enforce it?
The bill will undoubtedly force every police department to review their operations policies. Whether good or bad it is what is and the law is the law. Our department will have to comply with it but do so maintaining the strictest level of professionalism as our Deputy Chief has already stated to every officer. Profiling will not be tolerated by any police department.
As a manager or administrator one has to view the law and say it is what it is and move forward in enforcing it accordingly. Politicians set policy and administrators have the task of carrying it out whether we agree with it or not. Some cities are weighing suing the state but there is very little doubt that this issue will be taken up by other groups. Cities should let those groups fight the law in court and save their resources for suits that will likely come about by accusations of profiling.
The bill will undoubtedly force every police department to review their operations policies. Whether good or bad it is what is and the law is the law. Our department will have to comply with it but do so maintaining the strictest level of professionalism as our Deputy Chief has already stated to every officer. Profiling will not be tolerated by any police department.
As a manager or administrator one has to view the law and say it is what it is and move forward in enforcing it accordingly. Politicians set policy and administrators have the task of carrying it out whether we agree with it or not. Some cities are weighing suing the state but there is very little doubt that this issue will be taken up by other groups. Cities should let those groups fight the law in court and save their resources for suits that will likely come about by accusations of profiling.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Bond Rating Bumped Up Again
How many cities do you know that have had their bond rating increased twice in the past 12 months? Quite the opposite is happening for many cities that have had to make drastic cuts and nearly deplete what little reserves they have left. But Casa Grande has in fact had its bond rating bumped up. Last summer the City’s bond rating was increased to AA-. Today I learned our rating was increased yet again to a solid AA.
Bond ratings are like our individual credit score. Like our credit score bond ratings are set by credit rating agencies and in the bond market, like the individual credit score, there are three major agencies - Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings. There are nearly 20 levels to a bond rating the highest being AAA and lowest being D. Anything below BBB is considered junk, much like Greece’s bond rating and some other governments.
So what does it mean to have AA bond rating? Well, AA is just two levels shy of a perfect AAA, the rating goes from AAA, AA+, AA. Very few cities have a AAA bond rating and realistically only cities above 100,000 population receive a AAA ratings. For a city like Casa Grande, population 46,000, a AA is just about as good as it can get. This means lower interests rates on bonds.
But why have we’ve been so fortunate, that answer is fairly simple really. We’ve saved up over the years by not spending revenue generating from the growth and construction. Our fund balance (reserves) increased from $3 million to over $30 million over 6-7 years. The ratings agencies had anticipated we would tap into our reserves and draw it down significantly but we’ve been able to maintain it above $20 million and the City’s leaders want to keep it that way.
Bond ratings are like our individual credit score. Like our credit score bond ratings are set by credit rating agencies and in the bond market, like the individual credit score, there are three major agencies - Moody's, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings. There are nearly 20 levels to a bond rating the highest being AAA and lowest being D. Anything below BBB is considered junk, much like Greece’s bond rating and some other governments.
So what does it mean to have AA bond rating? Well, AA is just two levels shy of a perfect AAA, the rating goes from AAA, AA+, AA. Very few cities have a AAA bond rating and realistically only cities above 100,000 population receive a AAA ratings. For a city like Casa Grande, population 46,000, a AA is just about as good as it can get. This means lower interests rates on bonds.
But why have we’ve been so fortunate, that answer is fairly simple really. We’ve saved up over the years by not spending revenue generating from the growth and construction. Our fund balance (reserves) increased from $3 million to over $30 million over 6-7 years. The ratings agencies had anticipated we would tap into our reserves and draw it down significantly but we’ve been able to maintain it above $20 million and the City’s leaders want to keep it that way.
Citizen Surveys
Surveys, surveys, surveys! Just about everywhere you go you’re being asked to complete a survey. When you go to a department store the clerk informs you that if you complete an online survey you qualify for a discount. Even as many of us registered for graduation we received a survey in our inbox weeks later. Is there such a thing of knowing too much information?
In local government surveys are a useful tool to learn a variety of things about a community, its needs, and its desires. They are even more helpful when data collected is that same as data collected for hundreds of other local governments and communities. This then allows for better comparisons. For small communities it provides a good gauge of where the stands compared to larger communities with more resources.
Casa Grande recently completed a citizen survey conducted through ICMA. It was a national survey that allows us to compare ourselves with other organizations. It was the first time we’ve done this with a comprehensive national survey. I was really surprised to learn what priorities residents’ value. I wasn’t all that surprised that many residents were in favor of improving the city’s roads. The city many years ago was faced with improving other infrastructure to sustain the growth occurring or investing in repaving downtown roads. More important was the fact that a vast majority of residents value and are happy with the services the city provides.
The survey was conducted over the past 3-4 months and results are statistically valid. Given the current conditions many local governments are in, the results of the survey are very indicative of the success the city has had in weathering the economic downtown better than most other cities in Arizona.
In local government surveys are a useful tool to learn a variety of things about a community, its needs, and its desires. They are even more helpful when data collected is that same as data collected for hundreds of other local governments and communities. This then allows for better comparisons. For small communities it provides a good gauge of where the stands compared to larger communities with more resources.
Casa Grande recently completed a citizen survey conducted through ICMA. It was a national survey that allows us to compare ourselves with other organizations. It was the first time we’ve done this with a comprehensive national survey. I was really surprised to learn what priorities residents’ value. I wasn’t all that surprised that many residents were in favor of improving the city’s roads. The city many years ago was faced with improving other infrastructure to sustain the growth occurring or investing in repaving downtown roads. More important was the fact that a vast majority of residents value and are happy with the services the city provides.
The survey was conducted over the past 3-4 months and results are statistically valid. Given the current conditions many local governments are in, the results of the survey are very indicative of the success the city has had in weathering the economic downtown better than most other cities in Arizona.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Lean and Mean Oganizations Here to Stay?
I have been working on a paper on succession planning and a thought entered my head. So much has been said about a huge wave of public service professionals leaving the workforce and taking with them valuable knowledge and experience that cannot be replaced. The economic downturn appears to have slowed this down but it is still inevitable. But as I see progressive and well managed cities deal with their budgets I’m starting to wonder if there will be a need to fill position left vacant by baby boomers. Are we seeing how cities are management and with how many employees changing for the long run? Are we seeing new management systems being driven by the rise of technology, changing cultures, and out of the box thinking by a select few managers.
Do more with less seems to be becoming the norm. Local governments are having to evolve and adapt to changing conditions and all signs seem to show that this change will remain for many years if not decades to come. Local governments had to cut the fat out of their organization early on, and now are performing surgery to vital parts to ensure the organization can maintain levels of services and performance. When everything is all said and done I don’t see things returning to the beefed up organization many were accustomed to. Lean and mean may very well become the new norm.
Casa Grande was been successful in dealing with the down turn, better than many cities in Arizona, due to the fact that it didn’t fatten its organization during the good times. I’m not saying that we’re lean to the point that progress and efficiency are effects, but the reluctance of the city’s leaders to expand government has proven vital.
Do more with less seems to be becoming the norm. Local governments are having to evolve and adapt to changing conditions and all signs seem to show that this change will remain for many years if not decades to come. Local governments had to cut the fat out of their organization early on, and now are performing surgery to vital parts to ensure the organization can maintain levels of services and performance. When everything is all said and done I don’t see things returning to the beefed up organization many were accustomed to. Lean and mean may very well become the new norm.
Casa Grande was been successful in dealing with the down turn, better than many cities in Arizona, due to the fact that it didn’t fatten its organization during the good times. I’m not saying that we’re lean to the point that progress and efficiency are effects, but the reluctance of the city’s leaders to expand government has proven vital.
Casa Grande, small city but huge experience
One of the reasons I was drawn to Casa Grande and the opportunity to intern there is the ability to be involved in upper management issues and projects. I have yet to be disappointed and have been part of very unique projects. My experience began with working in the police department. Over the course of several months I would work on a wide variety of projects with many of the city’s departments. I have helped to developed performance measures for the city departments, I’ve developed new operation policies for the police department, I’ve performed a sales tax audit that identified business that perhaps should be paying sales taxes or lack a business licenses, and a variety of other projects.
However, I would have to say the experience can be captured in the last week or two. Last week the other two management analysts were in meeting with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager and discussed the upcoming council retreat for the budget. The meeting went for a little over an hour and there were various topics discussed. The other day I also sat in on a budget meeting with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Finance Director, Budget Analyst and my two management analysts colleagues.
The point I want to make is that I’m not sitting in on lower level meetings nor am I just sitting in on them to watch and observe. Rather I am part of the discussion of the meetings and providing my input and research I’ve collected. In a large organization this would be almost unheard of. Interns are not typically utilized to this degree but I have proven my abilities and gained the confidence and respect of my peers and the city’s management. As I near the end of my internship with Casa Grande I do so having gained a great deal of knowledge but also skills in interacting with people at different levels of management and in different departments. If you are not aware you can easily be enveloped by the internal politics found in every organization. Casa Grande is a small city compared to the large cities in Phoenix and Tucson, but working in a small city has providing a greater level of exposure to all facets of local government.
However, I would have to say the experience can be captured in the last week or two. Last week the other two management analysts were in meeting with the City Manager and Deputy City Manager and discussed the upcoming council retreat for the budget. The meeting went for a little over an hour and there were various topics discussed. The other day I also sat in on a budget meeting with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Finance Director, Budget Analyst and my two management analysts colleagues.
The point I want to make is that I’m not sitting in on lower level meetings nor am I just sitting in on them to watch and observe. Rather I am part of the discussion of the meetings and providing my input and research I’ve collected. In a large organization this would be almost unheard of. Interns are not typically utilized to this degree but I have proven my abilities and gained the confidence and respect of my peers and the city’s management. As I near the end of my internship with Casa Grande I do so having gained a great deal of knowledge but also skills in interacting with people at different levels of management and in different departments. If you are not aware you can easily be enveloped by the internal politics found in every organization. Casa Grande is a small city compared to the large cities in Phoenix and Tucson, but working in a small city has providing a greater level of exposure to all facets of local government.
Talking to Undergraduate Seniors
I few weeks ago I was asked to speak to an undergraduate capstone course taught by Professor Duke. Going into the class I was unsure what exactly the students were really interested in knowing. The class was set up as a panel format. The panelist were an alumni of the urban and metropolitan studies who now works in non-profit, a recruiter from Maricopa county, and myself (a graduate student who will work in local government). The class was small and there was a certain level of uncertainty in the room as to what many of them had planned for after graduation.
Overall it all went well and I believed we offered a broad perception of local government, non-profit, and executive management. One of the very first questions I fielded was “how did student loans affect my decision to pursue grad school?” In all honesty from the minute I decided to apply for grad school I didn’t even think of student loans only to the point that I knew I would be taking them out. My mindset was clear in thinking that the cost would payoff with a stable job that would lead to a successful career. One way or another, my student loans will be paid off. Despite having a fellowship that offsets some of my costs, I still took out students loans and in doing so created the flexibility for me to network and explore various options and interests of mine. I graduate with a good chunk of student loans but confident that I will manage.
Another thing I noticed among this group of seniors was the lack of certainty towards what they wanted to do after graduation. In our MPA capstone we were asked to write a 5 year plan, an assessment of where we are now, where we want to be, and how we want to get there. Graduating undergrad I had a firm idea of what I wanted to do with my life and this was due to the fact that I took on various internships that helped shaped my mind. I know with budget cuts many organizations have cut back on internships but I believe that even unpaid internships are vital to providing substantial exposure to a variety of career options.
Overall it all went well and I believed we offered a broad perception of local government, non-profit, and executive management. One of the very first questions I fielded was “how did student loans affect my decision to pursue grad school?” In all honesty from the minute I decided to apply for grad school I didn’t even think of student loans only to the point that I knew I would be taking them out. My mindset was clear in thinking that the cost would payoff with a stable job that would lead to a successful career. One way or another, my student loans will be paid off. Despite having a fellowship that offsets some of my costs, I still took out students loans and in doing so created the flexibility for me to network and explore various options and interests of mine. I graduate with a good chunk of student loans but confident that I will manage.
Another thing I noticed among this group of seniors was the lack of certainty towards what they wanted to do after graduation. In our MPA capstone we were asked to write a 5 year plan, an assessment of where we are now, where we want to be, and how we want to get there. Graduating undergrad I had a firm idea of what I wanted to do with my life and this was due to the fact that I took on various internships that helped shaped my mind. I know with budget cuts many organizations have cut back on internships but I believe that even unpaid internships are vital to providing substantial exposure to a variety of career options.
Immigration Bill & Increases in Jail Fees
There has been a great deal of discussion regarding Arizona’s immigration bill. A variety of people have come out for or against this bill but I hope I can offer a different perspective to this bill. Many people have touched on the fiscal liability the bill leaves local governments open too. Undoubtedly the bill will provoke a variety of lawsuits that will ultimately cost tax payers a great deal of money. Yet another perspective is the cost it will take to process and jail people charged with violating this law. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to be in this country illegally. This will ultimately result in new arrests not previously made and as with many crimes, people will be charged and some sent to jail if only for a couple of days.
Nearly every local government in Arizona relies on their county sheriffs department to process and house inmates. Many sheriffs departments have increased their fees for housing inmates. Pinal County increased their fees 30%-45% and Maricopa reported increases in there fee schedules as well. Ultimately local governments have to pay this fee and many are having to adjust their budgets because of these increases. In some cases it’s understandable, a person may have to be jailed for many days if not weeks or months. In many cases individuals charged merely spend a 1-5 days in jail and usually just to wait to see a judge. All this adds up and ends up very costly.
So back to the immigration bill, all the new arrests will add to the number of inmates processed and jailed in county jails. So is it feasible to have this bill? Can we afford it?
Nearly every local government in Arizona relies on their county sheriffs department to process and house inmates. Many sheriffs departments have increased their fees for housing inmates. Pinal County increased their fees 30%-45% and Maricopa reported increases in there fee schedules as well. Ultimately local governments have to pay this fee and many are having to adjust their budgets because of these increases. In some cases it’s understandable, a person may have to be jailed for many days if not weeks or months. In many cases individuals charged merely spend a 1-5 days in jail and usually just to wait to see a judge. All this adds up and ends up very costly.
So back to the immigration bill, all the new arrests will add to the number of inmates processed and jailed in county jails. So is it feasible to have this bill? Can we afford it?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Internet Policy
A few weeks ago I was tasked with looking at our city's email and internet policies. My City Manager and Deputy City Manager wanted me to look at two things. First, make sure our policy is current with actual practice and make revisions to strengthen it. Second, review public records requirements regarding electronic communication. Last month the City began following through on a provision of the policy that stated that employees have no right to privacy and their internet usage can be reviewed by management. The IT department was to start generating a monthly report of sites visited to be reviewed by department directors.
At first I became I little worried because throughout the course of a day I probably go to two or three dozen sites. But I am ok since its all in the scope of my work and research that I do. My city manager sits on the state personnel board and commented that a majority of the cases that are coming across the board are related to internet use violations. We're no different, many employees have abused their internet use privileges and visited websites not related to their position or business of the city.
Retention of emails is also interesting. This is in part because despite that there are state laws that govern this many cities do not have similar policies. There is confusion among many people as to where electronic communication fit in with the state laws the govern public records. I remember last year a city in CA a police chief pulled text messages from officer's assigned cell phones. He found questionable texts messages and disciplined the officers. The officer's sued claiming they had a right to privacy. The Circuit court sided with the city and chief but an appeals court overturned the ruling. The matter will likely go to the Supreme Court but until then it raises several questions to consider along with complying with public records laws.
At first I became I little worried because throughout the course of a day I probably go to two or three dozen sites. But I am ok since its all in the scope of my work and research that I do. My city manager sits on the state personnel board and commented that a majority of the cases that are coming across the board are related to internet use violations. We're no different, many employees have abused their internet use privileges and visited websites not related to their position or business of the city.
Retention of emails is also interesting. This is in part because despite that there are state laws that govern this many cities do not have similar policies. There is confusion among many people as to where electronic communication fit in with the state laws the govern public records. I remember last year a city in CA a police chief pulled text messages from officer's assigned cell phones. He found questionable texts messages and disciplined the officers. The officer's sued claiming they had a right to privacy. The Circuit court sided with the city and chief but an appeals court overturned the ruling. The matter will likely go to the Supreme Court but until then it raises several questions to consider along with complying with public records laws.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Understanding Fire Department Staffing
Recently I was tasked with conducting some research on minimum staffing levels per apparatus for the fire department. Many people are used to seeing fire trucks responding to calls with 4 guys on board. You typically wouldn't question it as I never did thinking there must be some logic behind this. Firefighters will tell you its an NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standard and required by federal regulation. In actuality, that federal regulations (CFR 1910.134 paragragh g) and clarification by the regulating agency behind it, OSHA, states the opposite.
OSHA established what is known as the 2-in,2-out rule in 1998. In summary, it requires that there be at minimum two firefighters outside of a burning structure when conducting interior structure firefighting. That is to say if two guys are inside a house with fire hoses putting out a fire from the inside, two guys need to be outside ready to go in case the inside guys need rescue. Makes sense. The rule makes exceptions when conducting search and rescue operations when people are trapped and lives are endanger inside a building. This also doesn't prevent firefighters from fighting a fire from the outside until additional aid arrives.
So where am I going with all this, firefighters make the case that they need 4-four man crews on a truck to fight fires and respond to medical calls. This gets expensive real quickly. They will also say that failure to have 4-man crews will affect insurance ratings. No where in the the rating schedule used by ISO which provides such insurance ratings does it say that the number firefighters affects the rating. It specifically states that the number of engine companies affects the ratings. This is because the more engine you have at fire the more water pumps are available and the more water you can put on a fire more quickly. Many cities across the country and in the valley send two fire engines to a structure fire already. Additionally mutual aid agreements can provide additional fire companies from other cities.
I can go on and on about this as I found this research very interesting. I'll leave you with this note, many of the cities that operate 4-man crews do so because of union agreements yet cities that operate 3-person crews have the same if not better ISO ratings. Additionally 70-90% of calls firefighters respond to are medical calls where only the on-board paramedic and another firefighter are realy only ones doing anything until an ambulance arrives.
OSHA established what is known as the 2-in,2-out rule in 1998. In summary, it requires that there be at minimum two firefighters outside of a burning structure when conducting interior structure firefighting. That is to say if two guys are inside a house with fire hoses putting out a fire from the inside, two guys need to be outside ready to go in case the inside guys need rescue. Makes sense. The rule makes exceptions when conducting search and rescue operations when people are trapped and lives are endanger inside a building. This also doesn't prevent firefighters from fighting a fire from the outside until additional aid arrives.
So where am I going with all this, firefighters make the case that they need 4-four man crews on a truck to fight fires and respond to medical calls. This gets expensive real quickly. They will also say that failure to have 4-man crews will affect insurance ratings. No where in the the rating schedule used by ISO which provides such insurance ratings does it say that the number firefighters affects the rating. It specifically states that the number of engine companies affects the ratings. This is because the more engine you have at fire the more water pumps are available and the more water you can put on a fire more quickly. Many cities across the country and in the valley send two fire engines to a structure fire already. Additionally mutual aid agreements can provide additional fire companies from other cities.
I can go on and on about this as I found this research very interesting. I'll leave you with this note, many of the cities that operate 4-man crews do so because of union agreements yet cities that operate 3-person crews have the same if not better ISO ratings. Additionally 70-90% of calls firefighters respond to are medical calls where only the on-board paramedic and another firefighter are realy only ones doing anything until an ambulance arrives.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
One - Two Rule
I'm starting to notice a trend at work, for every project I complete two more get added. Sometimes I haven't even completed a project and just the mere notion that I may be done with one soon is an invitation to take on more tasks and projects. Funny how today I ran into my City Manager as I pulled into the parking lot in the morning. He asked how I'd been and how things were going and I responded "busy". He jokingly replied "yeah, you better say that to me". All in good fun.
So what exactly is on my plate you may ask? Well here's the list:
-Revisions to four of the Police Department operations policies
-Completion of the Limited English Proficiency Plan (Federal Requirement)
-Development of intern program plan
-Prop. 202 grant funding for flashing signal school crosswalk
-Research restoration of Union Pacific caboose donated to the city
-Develop policy regarding email policy
-Research policies regarding sewer rates for part time residents (winter visitors
This doesn't include other research requests assigned by the Senior Management Analyst or the Deputy City Manager.
Today I handed off my my sales tax audit project over to the Finance Director. I had completed the bulk and most time consuming portion of the project but with my internship ending in several weeks the Deputy Manager wanted to ensure I got back to my other projects and returned to the City Managers Office. It was nice to work on something different after working with Excel for the past three weeks.
Additionally, the City today hosted Shadow Day. Dozens of high school students roamed the halls of City Halls and other city facilities shadowing department heads and other employees. It was great to see young minds learning about local government.
So what exactly is on my plate you may ask? Well here's the list:
-Revisions to four of the Police Department operations policies
-Completion of the Limited English Proficiency Plan (Federal Requirement)
-Development of intern program plan
-Prop. 202 grant funding for flashing signal school crosswalk
-Research restoration of Union Pacific caboose donated to the city
-Develop policy regarding email policy
-Research policies regarding sewer rates for part time residents (winter visitors
This doesn't include other research requests assigned by the Senior Management Analyst or the Deputy City Manager.
Today I handed off my my sales tax audit project over to the Finance Director. I had completed the bulk and most time consuming portion of the project but with my internship ending in several weeks the Deputy Manager wanted to ensure I got back to my other projects and returned to the City Managers Office. It was nice to work on something different after working with Excel for the past three weeks.
Additionally, the City today hosted Shadow Day. Dozens of high school students roamed the halls of City Halls and other city facilities shadowing department heads and other employees. It was great to see young minds learning about local government.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Spread Sheets!
I wish I could say I love spreadsheets but I can’t even say I like them. Besides, I think over 7,000 rows of data is a bit much to sort through. Funny thing was that I found a Staples “easy” button lying on my desk. Much to my dismay it didn’t work so there I sat looking at a long list of business with licenses from the city and a sales tax audit. So what must I do with this you may ask? I’m not entirely sure myself. My guess is my work will serve several purposes. One, provide an assessment of business paying sales taxes but don’t have a business license with the city. Two, provide an assessment of businesses with licenses who may not be paying sales taxes to the city. Also, determine those businesses who may just be avoiding paying taxes and renewing their business license.
This project is just for starters. I have several other tasks on my list including wrapping up a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan and some additional work for the PD. There’s never a dull moment for me as much as I really want one every now and then.
Besides work, I completed my capstone class (PAF 509) this weekend. I am glad to be that much closer to graduation.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Intro
It is always difficult to know what to expect when starting with a new organization you work for. I have been interning with the City of Casa Grande since June of 2009. My official title is Management Analyst Intern. For the better part of my internship I have learned the basics functions of the city and the various departments. I have spent most of my time in the police department where I have worked under the Deputy Chief on revising their policies. In the fall I also worked with the finance department and the city's other full time management analysts in developing new performance measures for each city department. I have had additional tasks and reports during my time so far with the city and done my best to make my mind a sponge in order to learn as much as I can.
Recently I learned that I will be relocating my office from the police department and work out of the city manager's office directly. With the city's budget development in full swing I anticipate I will have some part in that. However, my work with police policies is not over and will continue to work with the command staff on them but will now have additional tasks to fulfill. It will take some time to get accustomed to the relative quietness in city hall compared to the constant sound of police sirens being tested.
I have enjoyed my experience and look forward to continue being involved in a wide range of tasks.
Recently I learned that I will be relocating my office from the police department and work out of the city manager's office directly. With the city's budget development in full swing I anticipate I will have some part in that. However, my work with police policies is not over and will continue to work with the command staff on them but will now have additional tasks to fulfill. It will take some time to get accustomed to the relative quietness in city hall compared to the constant sound of police sirens being tested.
I have enjoyed my experience and look forward to continue being involved in a wide range of tasks.
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