In Bainbridge Island, WA, Even Citizens Blog About Priority Based Budgeting!

"I still have a lot to learn, but I can now see several advantages to linking our revision of the Comprehensive Plan to the budgeting system.  As different as they are, both the Comp Plan and the budget framework are toolkits for planning and managing our civic life; each ought to be consistent with the other.  Both are asset maps, describing what goes on in our community, and both also describe goals and aspirations – “the way it’s s’posed to be.”

One of our most recent successful partnerships has been with the City of Bainbridge Island, WA. They have been working hard since spring 2014 to implement priority based budgeting (PBB) in their community. And have been very successful in doing so (see recent article Long-Term Financial Sustainability through Priority Based Budgeting in the City of Bainbridge Island, WA).

The City is now focusing on early 2015 to begin the next iteration of the priority based budgeting process. The next iteration for Bainbridge Island includes a citizen engagement component in the form of multiple public forums. These forums will provide an opportunity for the City to transparently ensure that the update to the Comprehensive Plan (linked to the city's priority based budgeting framework) are consistent with what the citizens of the community expect from their local government.

And the citizens of Bainbridge Island appear receptive and supportive of the cities efforts. One example is a recent blog post on the Sustainable Bainbridge blog. We don't often see heavy citizen blog activity supporting local government decisions, much less support for the alignment of the City's Comprehensive Plan and priority based budgeting framework. It is typically a more wonkish subject than most citizens have time to dive into. But the individual in this case certainly did his homework and we applaud his feedback! See full post below.

From Sustainable Bainbridge blog: 

Are you familiar with COBI’s Priority Based Budgeting http://www.bainbridgewa.gov/633/Priority-Based-Budgeting.) system? It's a new way of

thinking about the City’s biannual budget, adopted in the Spring of this year, and it looks like an excellent set of tools for planning and funding the City’s necessary and discretionary operations.  (For more information, go to the City website:

There’s a reason for my digression: I’ve mentioned COBI’s budgeting system because its key elements will be used to organize the six public forums.  In a graphic display that you will find on the COBI website, the City’s services are organized in six categories: Safe City; Healthy and Attractive Community; Green, Well-Planned Community; Vibrant Economy; Reliable Infrastructure & Connected Mobility; and Good Governance.

Starting out clueless about this new budgeting system, I was somewhat dubious about its relevance to the update process: I thought it would add an extra layer of complexity to a project that is already awfully complicated.

I still have a lot to learn, but I can now see several advantages to linking our revision of the Comprehensive Plan to the budgeting system.  As different as they are, both the Comp Plan and the budget framework are toolkits for planning and managing our civic life; each ought to be consistent with the other.  Both are asset maps, describing what goes on in our community, and both also describe goals and aspirations – “the way it’s s’posed to be.”

Using the budgeting system as a frame of reference for re-thinking the Comprehensive Plan may help to bring our ideas and our language down to earth, focused primarily upon the City’s core responsibilities.  (Pragmatism is, I hope, one of the community values that will be exhibited throughout this project.)  The update process could also test the will and ability of our City Council and the COBI staff to deliver on the commitments that the budgeting system lays out.

* * *

I’ve now said more than once that throughout the long update process, the entire COBI apparatus (the City Manager and administrative staff, the Council, and the Planning Commission) will be on trial in the eyes of the general public.  I say that not to be cranky, but in a good way, as a true believer in good governance and long range planning.

As you’ll see if you visit the City’s website and its description of Priority Based Budgeting, the page describing Good Governance explains what that shiny concept means in an array of specific commitments.  One of them reads, “Supports decision-making with timely and accurate short-term and long-range analysis that enhances vision and planning.”

Another says that the City “fosters trust and transparency by ensuring accountability, efficiency, integrity, innovation and best practices in all operations.”

These commitments pertain directly to what’s involved – and what’s at stake – in the Comprehensive Plan update.  These are promises to keep.

Keep an eye on the CPBB blog for further updates. Sign-up for our social media pages so you stay connected with TEAM CPBB!

If you're thinking of jumping into the world of Fiscal Health and Wellness through Priority Based Budgeting we would certainly like to be part of your efforts! Contact us to schedule a free webinar and identify the best CPBB service option(s) to meet your organization's particular needs.

 

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