Toward transparency
Lawrence leaders want local input before building next budget
By Jill Harmacinski
Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — What will it be: New sidewalks, better snow plowing or cheaper water and sewer rates?
The mayor and City Council want to know what folks want from the next city budget. Tomorrow night, residents and businesspeople can tell them during an open forum at the senior center.
This is an important step for Lawrence and a good indicator of how sincere the elected officials are in running a transparent and participatory budgeting process. It’s a good example for other cities, not to mention the state Legislature. Imagine a process like this held in regional centers around the state that gave people to power to weigh in on the state budget with the knowledge that their hopes and concerns would be heard.
The forum is being held so people can learn more about the fiscal 2009 budget-planning process. City leaders also want your insight, ideas and input as they head into budget season.
"It's about telling us what city services are most vital," said Mark Andrews, city budget and finance director. "We'd like to hear your input and questions ... to have a good public discussion."
A main theme "is we want people to know how the city budget is created," Sullivan said. A "pie-chart" presentation will show how the budget absorbs federal, state and lottery aid as well as tax money and more.
"We'll show them where the money goes and how Lawrence operates now," Sullivan said.
Lawrence Community Works has been working on this issue for a while now. It looks like their advocacy around participatory budgeting has bourne fruit. I think the Sullivan administration and the City Councilors recognize that they're not going to have consensus around the city's budget until the people are properly informed and given the chance to weigh in.