Comments on: Thoughts on the “B” Word

By: Kemble Pope

Kemble Pope — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:36:11 +0000

Kingsley – It would be great to have a bigger conversation about becoming a charter city… I feel like the last time it was on the ballot, it just didn’t get enough “buy-in” before it went on the ballot… a clear explanation was not made about all of the potential benefits. Instead, the conversation was dominated by a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it mentality”. Unfortunately, structural problems are difficult to explain.

Performance based budgeting – love it. Tony Blair actually had a cabinet level minister for performance based budgeting.

some good reading: http://bit.ly/5YCKvk

By: Kingsley Melton

Kingsley Melton — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:49:09 +0000

Re: How a charter city relates?

Check out this document organized by the League of California Cities. It’s a comparison of the two structures (charter vs. regular city).

http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/25436.General%20Law%20-%20Charter%20City%20Comparison.doc

The bottom line is that a charter gives a city more flexibility (to potentially do both good and bad). If you agree with Kemble’s statement, “Our city’s liberal and once innovative agenda can coexist with fiscal conservatism.” Then a charter might help grease those wheels and allow for a bit of experimentation. On the other hand, it might land us on the Comedy Channel– again :-)

By: Tallulah

Tallulah — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:04:33 +0000

Hello, Could you please talk a bit about how a Charter City relates to the above topic. What do you beleive would be the advantages to Davis in becoming a charter city?
Thanks.

By: Kingsley Melton

Kingsley Melton — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:24:01 +0000

Nice writing. I share many of the feelings expressed. Perhaps the beginning of an argument for a Charter City? Is there a solution that allows the talented to innovate instead of being stymied by the unworkable status quo?

Performance Based Budgeting– that’s the closest expression of what you’re talking about. The more I hear the arguments for and against, the more I wish we could begin to implement it.

By: Pieter Pastoor

Pieter Pastoor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:52:21 +0000

Kemble – well said and thought out. Thanks for delicately approaching this subject.

By: Amanda Kimball

Amanda Kimball — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:29:08 +0000

Interesting and thought-provoking, Kemble. After my recent experience with the City Council, I think they could benefit from taking general heed of your advice, “Concentrate on creating efficiencies … Prioritize what is really important to the health and wellness of our community.” Well said.