BEYOND THE GREAT RECESSION: SAVING CITIES AND SCHOOLS South Central Assembly Summit June 13, 2012

Stabilize finances Establish organizational infrastructure Change the culture/ improve service delivery FIRST THINGS FIRST…

LET THE CHIPS FALL… DCED Early Intervention Program: Comprehensive Audit Engage business and community leaders Create community – neighborhood meetings Build a team – workforce meetings

OPERATIONS: “… need an extreme makeover.” Critical investment in the City’s corporate infrastructure has been neglected. Investment in human and technological capital is lacking. Investment in facilities and operations has been limited at best.

FINANCES: “The future is bleak.” REVENUES: 2% annual growth rate EXPENSES: 5 to 6 % annual growth rate (health insurance = 18% growth rate) “If nothing is done to reverse these trends, initial projections show a $69 million cumulative deficit by 2012.”

IT’S NOW OR NEVER “Continued neglect will increase operating costs and make it more difficult to provide good customer service.” “The primary findings of the report are that the City of Lancaster must upgrade its corporate and physical infrastructure, while at the same time addressing a serious fiscal situation.” -- Management Partners September 2007

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Strategic Planning Staff meetings & work site visits Customer Centered Culture: “Off the bus.” Human Resources: Performance Measures, Salary Scales, Job Descriptions, Training

Leased computers Shared IT Services Phone systems Facilities assessments OPERATIONS

REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS Voluntary Contribution Program Fees based on cost-recovery Credit cards accepted for payments Capital Budget used to fund infrastructure and other investments Settled Worker’s comp claims Sold Property liens Collection of delinquent accounts Tax increases

Contract concessions Lay-offs Early retirement buy-outs Hiring freezes Salary freezes Merit vs. Cost of living adjustments CUT EXPENSES

A COMMON VISION PROVIDE THE IDEAL URBAN EXPERIENCE

Public art Design standards and streetscape enhancements Park improvements Green Infrastructure Public buildings Utilities – water, recycling, solid waste OUR ENVIRONMENT

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS Rental property registration and licensing Code Enforcement Administrative Ticketing SWEEP

Institutional: F&M, MU, PCAD, LGH Other Non-Profits: Religious, Social Service, Housing, Philanthropic Community Development Groups: SACA, JSID, DID Business Groups: Lancaster Alliance, Lancaster Chamber Arts & Culture: Lancaster Arts OUR PARTNERS

PROSPER OR PERISH: FINANCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA THE FUTURE

Local governments must be given a menu of options for generating revenue. The public safety contract arbitration system (Act 111) must be reformed. State-mandated defined benefits must give way to consolidation of pension plans at the statewide level. Inter-municipal shared services must be heavily incentivized and, in some cases, mandated. Property tax reform must happen. MUNICIPAL FINANCE TASK FORCE

Pat Brogan Mayor’s Office, City of Lancaster FOR MORE INFORMATION…