By Rod Olsen
Editor's Note: Rod Olsen is a former HOA President of Rock Springs Ridge and an Apopka resident who often contributes his opinions at the Apopka City Council meetings during the public comments section and in frequent op/eds with The Apopka Voice.
Last Friday, Olsen wrote an open letter to the Apopka City Council about the upcoming budget workshops.
Hello Mayor and Commissioners,
Although I have never worked in city government, in 40+ years of business with a reputation for meeting and exceeding budgeted expectations, the following approach set the table for this success.
Strongly recommend that you require all City Department Heads to present 3 proposed budgets this budget cycle:
- Gotta' have! As a minimum, what my Department must have to meet current and projected growth needs.
- Liketa' have! What my Department would like to have to manage current and projected growth needs more effectively.
- Dreamta' have! What my Department would need if money weren’t a concern. If we had everything, we would dream of managing current needs and projected growth needs more effectively.
These proposed budget recommendations would begin with each Department Head meeting with each Employee to ask what they need to perform their job better.
Each Department should meet with each Department they serve to determine what they can do to meet their needs better. Examples:
- Fleet Maintenance would reach out to every Department they serve.
- Finance & Human Resources would reach out to each Department they serve.
- Parks & Recreation would reach out to every group they currently serve and any new group that has requested facility usage in a similar fashion.
Given the fact that Apopka is the largest city in Orange County in square miles, response times and staffing levels for the Apopka Police and Fire Departments must be entered into the equation when looking at equipment and staffing needs.
As for the Fire Department, the Gannon Report should be the City’s guide.
Further, and especially given our growth and ongoing Taxpayer concerns, you should reach out to all Taxpayers and inquire: “What is one thing the City can do to meet my needs better”?
From experience, the best budgets usually fall between gotta and liketa have, with an occasional dreamta have entry.
Thanks for your consideration.
If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.
