The fiscal problem in Dartmouth is caused by the rate of growth of expenses outstripping the rate of growth of revenue. I have posted about that here and here
I have also posted about measuring dollars spent as a valid measure of results here
Some want to frame this debate as a matter of cutting services or raising taxes. I submit that this framing of the question is invalid. We can cut costs and retain or improve services. The productivity gains in business and industry in the US over the last two decades have not been driven by more employees or more spending to provide the same service. They have been driven by reinventing the way that business is conducted. Information technology has been a driving force in these changes. Business constantly strives to reduce costs while providing services. Government must do the same. What resources can the town tap to realize these improvements? I think the residents are one such resource, the other under-utilized resource is UMass Dartmouth. The thousands of students and hundreds of faculty there are a real source of vitality and knowledge for the town which I think we can use. I think the administration of UMass would embrace the challenge.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Dollars and results
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3 comments:
Bill, there have been citizens who have offered resources and help. Unfortunately our town leaders have refused to take advantage of the offers. Vivian Gela from Animal Advocates offered suggestions for raising funds to support 24 hr. emergency animal control. Not only did she submit the suggestions in her proposal, she also offered to do the work for the town. Vivian's position is that she understands the town is having financial problems so rather than complain about it, she chose to do something about it. Anyone who is familiar with Animal Advocates knows Vivian is extremely capable of raising money and animals are her passion. Her appeals to the SB went unanswered. Talk about a missed opportunity to create a fundraising arm for animal control similiar to that of the library and COA. It's too bad our town leaders are so short-sighted.
I think we could also use the New England School of Law as a resource. We really have to change our mindset about how we run our town. We certainly live in an area that is rich with resources...
Kim, you're right. This town needs new people with fresh ideas and the willingness to explore other options for balancing the budget. The status quo is not working and we can't remain bogged down with the old beliefs of how to run a town.
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