Staff vs. Council Authority

Proper good governance requires policy to be established by Council, who represents the residents. Implementing policy is the responsibility of staff. When lines are blurred and new policy is implemented through procedures, this bypasses proper separation of powers and disenfranchises residents who are left without representation.

Examples of policy changes made by Staff, without proper Council approval or public knowledge:

• Staff decided to exclude some violent crime from the weekly crime report sent to residents

• Staff signed a contract with the state to re-plan our lots

• Staff decided to work a four day work week and now City Hall is closed on Fridays and counter hours are reduced 80%, but there was no cost savings

Solution:

• Policies should require Council approval. Council can then deliberate impact to residents as part of their decision.

• Policy decisions should be made public and allow public input

• Council should retroactively review policies passed by staff that negatively impacted residents such as the examples above, allow residents input and make a decision (motion) on the record

• Operational and financial controls are needed to establish proper checks and balances and accountability, which is particularly important with high staff turnover.