Perez Unveils Platform For Good Government
Mayoral candidate Paul Perez unveiled a multi-faceted good government platform detailing how he plans to promote accountability and competence; assure transparency; increase responsiveness and reliability; achieve ethical conduct and the rule of law; instill sound fiscal management; create rational and transparent budgeting; build efficient and effective government; enhance public participation and inclusiveness; foster innovation and change; and focus on sustainability with a view toward the future.
Some highlights from his plan include the following:
• All city obligations including loans, leases, multiyear contracts, tax abatements, and PILOT agreements will be compiled and made available on-line for download and review. In addition, the city budget (proposed, approved, modified) will be made available in easy-to-use downloadable files.
• All agreements with vendors, contractors, and consultants in excess of $25,000 will be published and updated monthly noting purpose of contracts, progress in tasks, departmental budget source, amount of contracts (and amendments), and payments in the current fiscal year.
• Standards of responsiveness will be developed to ensure that those requesting city services or information are receiving prompt and complete responses. Appropriate plans for individual corrective action or longterm professional development will help staff meet expectations for customer service.
• All staff and anyone appointed to a commission or other agency which makes decisions on behalf of the administration will be required to declare conflicts interest in a timely manner.
• Each city department will be directed to develop, submit for review, and implement a process by which residents and others may report instances in which they believe that they were unfairly or unethically treated by an employee or by the department. Directors will be required to maintain a log each of these reports and submit the log to the Chief of Staff in a timely manner accompanied by a plan for resolve and document the issue in accordance with law and city ordinance.
• Sound financial principles and management will be used in the contracting and use of loans; allocation of resources, revenues and reserves; and, in the use of unanticipated revenue. All solicitations for contracted services and goods will be completed in compliance with state procurement laws with contract award decision makers fully conforming to conflict of interest and Ethics Code requirements.
• Contracts with external vendors for routine services (snow removal, mowing, tree removal, etc.) will be offered for bid, evaluated, and executed in a routine manner before the need of these routine services has occurred.
• Annual budget priorities will be established and presented as the fiscal year approaches and not after it has been completed.
Participation and Inclusiveness
• Officials will explore the benefits and risks of developing independent citizen advisory boards for key departments to help the leadership of departments identify key issues affecting the community and providing an independent voice on the progress of this department in meeting its objectives.
• Using Trenton 250 as its starting point, the Perez Administration will maintain both a realistic present day objectives and broader longterm