Council candidates on the budget: Muhammad Zaman

Muhammad Zaman, management consultant

QUESTION: The city needs to make $3.1 million in cuts to the general fund budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year. If you were on the council, where would you propose the cuts be made?

Additionally, what departments and/or services would be your budget priority?

ANSWER: Review personnel requirements in all departments, especially in finance, public works, fire and police departments. We have to consider hiring more or seek other alternatives if overtime is costing more. To make organizations leaner and efficient: review job descriptions to reorganize city departments; consolidate jobs to be more efficient; renegotiate contracts that are made with the city by different organizations about all benefits, like pension and health; partner with other cities, if feasible to provide effective and efficient service; review employee performance more often; seek feedback on services provided to members of the community. I would review the entire maintenance and operation budget, especially in general government, finance, public works, fire and police. What could be done: review all service contracts to re-negotiate or re-tender if legally allowed; consolidate service providers; review inventory to assess acquiring equipment through buy or lease versus maintaining old equipment and spend fund on maintenance.