Effingham City Manager Referendum - Updated
We attended the informational meeting tonight regarding the referendum on the ballot to change the Effingham City Government from a Commissioner form of government to a City Manager/Council form of government.
There will be two more informational meetings: Thursday at the New Hope Church at 5:30pm and on January 25th at 6:30pm at the Council Chamber at the Effingham City Hall. Please read more about the city manager form of government.
One of the most interesting facts we learned about this evening was that Effingham's budget has bloated itself to the size of a city with the population of 100,000! And we're only 13,000 strong! Sad. Our budget has increased 4.4 times over the course of time to a budget of $29 million, $8 million in payroll, 5 unions, numerous funding sources, and has unique and complex TIF districts.
The presentation was great by Scott Kabbes and Matt Hirtzel. They outlined the problems with the current form of government and how only 2.1 % of cities of our size still have a Commissioner form of government.
A former city manager from Normal, IL - Dave Anderson - was present to detail what and why a city manager is good for Effingham. He gave us 12 points which I'll list here and it's not word for word, but a paraphrase of what he said:
1. The city manager would be a full time employee of the city which would have the time the part time commissioners do not have to run the city.
2. A huge budget like Effingham's requires qualified leadership (experience and education) to manage.
3. Easier to keep up with constantly changing Federal and State laws.
4. Allows for better communication of the State of the City to commissioners and public
5. Handles franchise and contract agreements
6. Hires, trains, and disciplines city employees except civil service, fire and police.
7. Helps make the city government productive and efficient.
8. Helps remove/lessen local politics/loyalties from decisions.
9. Is trained in city government/administration.
10. Better fiscal control over budget and expenses of the city.
11. Handles day to day operations of the city
12. One person is the focal point of the government.
On the ballot you will see this question: "Shall the city of Effingham adopt the managerial form of government?"
If you live within the city of Effingham, I urge you to vote YES on this referendum.
There will be two more informational meetings: Thursday at the New Hope Church at 5:30pm and on January 25th at 6:30pm at the Council Chamber at the Effingham City Hall. Please read more about the city manager form of government.
One of the most interesting facts we learned about this evening was that Effingham's budget has bloated itself to the size of a city with the population of 100,000! And we're only 13,000 strong! Sad. Our budget has increased 4.4 times over the course of time to a budget of $29 million, $8 million in payroll, 5 unions, numerous funding sources, and has unique and complex TIF districts.
The presentation was great by Scott Kabbes and Matt Hirtzel. They outlined the problems with the current form of government and how only 2.1 % of cities of our size still have a Commissioner form of government.
A former city manager from Normal, IL - Dave Anderson - was present to detail what and why a city manager is good for Effingham. He gave us 12 points which I'll list here and it's not word for word, but a paraphrase of what he said:
1. The city manager would be a full time employee of the city which would have the time the part time commissioners do not have to run the city.
2. A huge budget like Effingham's requires qualified leadership (experience and education) to manage.
3. Easier to keep up with constantly changing Federal and State laws.
4. Allows for better communication of the State of the City to commissioners and public
5. Handles franchise and contract agreements
6. Hires, trains, and disciplines city employees except civil service, fire and police.
7. Helps make the city government productive and efficient.
8. Helps remove/lessen local politics/loyalties from decisions.
9. Is trained in city government/administration.
10. Better fiscal control over budget and expenses of the city.
11. Handles day to day operations of the city
12. One person is the focal point of the government.
On the ballot you will see this question: "Shall the city of Effingham adopt the managerial form of government?"
If you live within the city of Effingham, I urge you to vote YES on this referendum.
Posted by downstateiladvocate at 1/11/2010 11:30 PM 
Categories: Local Issues
Tags: City Manager Effingham
Categories: Local Issues
Tags: City Manager Effingham
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