An important issue is coming before the governing body that will impact residents, revenues, and capital planning, with potential long term effects. A small group of residents has been very vocal about the need for quick action by their elected representatives, and they know how to work the phones and email to make sure their voices will rise above the other important issues of the day. After all, they voted for you, or at least they want you to know they vote in every election and this issue is the most important one to them.
You have relied on the expertise of staff to provide the options available to the council, and you have done your homework researching other communities with similar issues. While each member of the elected body brings a different perspective and experience to the deliberations, you all have had access to the same background information, and you have shared what you researched on your own. Staff has made a recommendation based on the impact of the decision on long term planning in place, and the direction provided by the council on the priorities and goals for the community through the Strategic Plan, Master Plan, and the annual budget process.
Good Public Policy comes from preparation, education, and great deliberation. Because the council we just described has invested in themselves as a governing body, their decision can be made with transparency and assurances that the majority opinion is supported by the community and individual council members. While residents will never like to be told no to something they want from their local government, they will respect and support good public policy when they are provided the reasons for it.
Alternatively, lets look at what happens if the elected board chooses to respond to a request for a policy or ordinance change from a small contingent of vocal residents without having invested in developing a Strategic Plan and long term vision for the community. If the staff has not been provided any direction from council through strategic plans or budget priorities, they are hard pressed to provide a prioritized recommendation to assist in the decision. Without clearly stated objectives to follow, individual council members are lacking the big picture as well. The residents have no documentation or vision to see how their request meets the needs of the community long term.
Council members are left talking it out amongst themselves with limited factual evidence, and all too often the loudest voice in the room ends up prevailing with his or her idea. Soon the others follow the lead because the lack of “facts” to base a decision upon has created a vacuum, and the deliberations are incomplete. All options are not considered, and public policy has become the victim of group think. This can lead to decisions that result in unintended shortsighted decisions with long term financial impacts.
A quick review of communities across the country and the challenges they face because of underfunding their enterprise funds is an easy example. “At least we kept the water rates low for many years” exclaimed one council member in Michigan as they were forced to increase rates 150% and create Special Assessment Districts to charge residents for infrastructure upgrades as their system failed. Great Boards practice Good Governance, and that means investing in themselves through ongoing preparation, education, and informed deliberation.