The Rationale
Improved efficiency and increased accountability, were listed as the city managers motivations. The justification for this position is direct a unified financial function, as can be seen in the majority of California cities, will improve operations, Mr. Fulwood said. It will unify functions, reduce costs, increase customer-service levels, and create clear and direct responsibility for the overall financial functions of the city.
In the coming months, however, these quickly accepted explanations may get lost in the bramble when the full personnel impact of the fallout takes effect.
About Attrition
According to Mr. Fulwoods Restructuring Plan, certain vacant positions are proposed to be reassigned or reduced through attrition, resulting, it is claimed, in a savings of $500,000. Further, with the consolidation and streamlining of operations citywide, it is expected the city would ultimately realize a net savings of between $4 million and $7 million annually over the next 5 to 7 years.
The introduction of a CFO by April of next year as called for by the revised City Charter would trigger an anticipated jarring upheaval at City Hall.
Hardest Hit Departments
The strongest reverberations probably would occur in three offices City Treasurer, City Controller and City Clerk. The autonomy and perceived independence of the Treasurers office, headed by Crystal Alexander, has been a heatedly debated topic in City Hall circles for more than a year. The Treasurer supported the Charter changes last year, while her wake was strewn with question marks concerning her continued employment at City Hall.
It is not yet known whether Ms. Alexander will apply to be the chief financial executive. In previous conversations, the Treasurer has said she had not come to a decision. But Councilman Scott Malsin spoke up. The management of the Treasurers office and the City Clerks office has fallen by the wayside for years, he said. The CFO plan would bring them under the city manager.
Hazy About Duties
While the staff report for tonights Council meeting promises that all personnel will be retained, little information was advanced regarding =certain persons responsibilities, which will be considerably reworked.
In a survey of City Council members this morning, the four who responded indicated their support for the concept, although they promised they will be peppering Mr. Fulwood with questions before signaling a green light.
About Dysfunction
Basically I support the CFO concept, said Councilwoman Carol Gross. She objected, though, to a lack of specificity in the staff report that serves as an infrastructure of information for Council meetings. Alluding to the dysfunctional ways the city has spent money during her 7 years on the City Council, she said a chief financial officer should improve the coordination. But I have been hearing rumblings from the public. So I dont know how that will play out tonight.
Vice Mayor Alan Corlin saluted the plan as a great idea.
We have a $100 million corporation here, he said. Show me one $100 million corporation that does not have a chief financial officer.
Like Everybody Else
When this plan has been implemented, Culver City will be operated the way that other cities our size are. And this will make it easier for us to recruit. When we go out to make major hires it will be a direct transition. It wont necessitate explaining how we do things differently from other people.
When Jerry gets done explaining his ideas tonight, I think it will be apparent the citys resources will be used more efficiently, Mr. Corlin said. Now that we have changed over to a city manager form of government, Mr. Fulwood will be able to stay on top of the money better than a CAO did.
Restoring Order
Councilman Steve Rose, who has been a critic of the inconsistent fiscal structure at City Hall, is an enthusiastic supporter of the restructuring blueprint. I like Jerrys plan because it will bring financial accountability under the city manager, which is where it should be, he said.
No Need to Start Over
As I said last year, said Councilman Malsin in his vigorous endorsement, we are not reinventing the wheel. We will be adopting a style of management used by municipalities throughout the nation. This plan will allow people to focus on their tasks more efficiently.
