Front Lines of PBB: Fire Department Cuts Costs, Increases Services

"The call we made is really to give the best service we could with the dollars available"

Many organizations embarking upon the path of Priority Based Budgeting are particularly interested in knowing how this process has impacted traditional public safety departments like Police and Fire. Like they expect to hear, we demonstrate that because many of the programs offered within Police and Fire departments show strong influences on most communities objectives like "Safe Community," "Vibrant Economy," "Quality Neighborhoods," "Effective Transportation" and so on, that many (not all) programs offered by these departments rank highly relevant through Priority Based Budgeting.

But that's not the end of the conversation, it's truly the beginning: how does a department with highly prioritized programs evolve to meet new demands, start new programs, become more effective when (even though PBB suggests they won't be cut) there aren't new resources to grow the department?

Grand Island's Fire Department provides this absolutely inspiring story. We urge those considering PBB to read it and be encouraged by what can be accomplished...

Grand Island's Fire Department is looking to actually increase services.

Program Prioritization computer model perfected > The Independent > News > Local

Program Prioritization computer model perfected > The Independent > News > Local: "Program Prioritization computer model perfected"
By Tracy Overstreet tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com
Published: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 10:13 PM CDT

Grand Island city officials will be able to sort down to the "granular level" in analyzing the nearly 300 city services provided, what they cost, what they earn, how reliant residents are upon the services and which ones are mandated by state and federal government.Consultants

Jon Johnson and Chris Fabian gave an interactive demonstration Tuesday of the updated Program Prioritization software program they developed that contains detailed data on every Grand Island city service and the rankings the council gave on which services are most important.The demonstration was part of a Grand Island City Council study session at City Hall.

Tualatin Continues to Stay True to the Principles of Fiscal Health: "This year, the Fiscal Health model showed that Tualatin is in a very stable condition."

http://www.ci.tualatin.or.us/news/docs/newsletters/201107.pdf

City Budget Recap: Last year, the City embarked on a Fiscal Health initiative in which staff assessed ongoing revenues and expenditures vs. one-time revenues and expenditures and incorporated new long-term planning tools to assist the decision making process. Other components of the Fiscal Health plan included: spending within our means; establishing and maintaining reserves; and being transparent about the "true cost of doing business."

This year, the Fiscal Health model showed that Tualatin is in a very stable condition.

Grand Island Mayor Reflects on Process, Citizen Input

GI Asks for Citizen Input and Advice on Proposed Budget - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CA-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, Lincoln:

'As Mayor, I can tell you, this -- I'm proud of what's occurred so far. The hard work by many people has been tremendous with the goal of living within our means and setting a financially sustainable path in the future. The ultimate success of this work during today's 'new normal' is now dependent upon help from our entire community.'"

ALEC Report on States: States Need to Adopt a "Priority Based Budget"

ALEC MacIver Institute: "The study suggests states adopt a “priority-based budget.” A key to this perspective on a state’s budget is to carefully examine the role of government. The study reports governments must properly understand their role in order to provide the services people need, while also protecting individual rights. The study encourages legislatures to focus on the core functions government and to avoid wasting time and money on nonessential and trivial undertakings. Along with this suggestion, the report includes ten golden rules of taxation; sometimes called the ten commandments of supply-side economics."