The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Goals and objectives for Fiscal Year 2008-09
PUBLISHED: March 6, 2008
Goal: Maintain a comparable tax raterelative to other SE Michigan cities
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Some of the objectives:
Adjust the general fund, solid waste and municipal street millage rates
Have unappropriated reserve fund of 15-20 percent of annual expenses, maintain a capital outlay reserve in enterprise funds of 50 percent to 75 percent as recommended in the Utility Rate Study
Attract and maintain prudent growth through an ongoing commitment to economic development, assist the Downtown Development Authority in implementing its development plan
Continue to explore other revenue sources: aggressively pursue grant opportunities, look for areas in the budget to redirect expenses to another agency
Implement funding of "Other Post-Employment Benefits" in accordance with GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) regulations
Develop strategies to further strengthen internal controls and operating efficiencies
Goal: Ensure good stewardshipof municipal infrastructure
Some of the objectives:
Establish policies for utilities management based on the following factors:
• Update the 2005 Utility Rate Study every three years
• Implement recommendations for water, sewer and electrical rate adjustments
• Pursue joint meetings with Lima and Sylvan townships to establish regional solutions for utilities
• Ensure an adequate daily supply of water to meet estimated demand at a quality that exceeds safe drinking water guidelines
• Determine priorities to protect and allocate any excess water and sewer capacity
• Pursue State Revolving Fund financing for water and sewer projects
• Continue public education on voluntary water restrictions
Complete a Facilities Master Plan in FY 2008-09
• Construction of a police station and City Hall
• Renovation or sale of current police station
• Renovation, sale or planned future use of the Buchanan Street building
Goal: Engage the Community
Some of the objectives:
Provide open houses or community forums on major issues under consideration by the City Council
• Establish community ad hoc committees to review major issues, schedule at least two joint sessions between the DDA and Council
• Keep the public informed through the news media, city Web site, cable TV Channel 18 and regular press releases
• Develop an e-mail alert subscription service
Goal: Develop and Maintaina First-Rate Work Force
Some of the objectives:
Develop and implement quarterly training for employee development
• Appoint a training officer (someone already on staff)
• Annually budget for training and ensure departments are utilizing it
• Put ethics training in place
Develop safety programs to minimize and/or transfer risk
• Appoint a safety officer (someone already on staff)
• Review Emergency Action Guidelines with staff
Goal: Encourage Innovation and Excellence in Customer Service
Some of the objectives:
Continue to challenge the status quo through exploring alternative delivery of services or new facilities
Investigate the cost benefit of establishing quarterly billing for all utilities
Provide annual customer service training for staff
Treat all customers in a friendly and respectful manner
Direct customers to the appropriate staff person within two minutes
Respond to customer concerns within one business day
Goal: Promote a Safe Community
Some of the objectives:
Create a long-term, financially stable police services plan; maintain an adequate police-to-population ratio consistent with state averages
Continue to review policies to ensure compliance with the latest ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) rules.
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