Last year during its Dec. 18, 2007 meeting, Christiansburg Town Council was provided with an audit due to accounting changes required by law. The auditor's review indicated the highest management standards were evident, yet he stated council might want to consider bringing a financial planner on staff in the not too distant future. Several council members had previously suggested this would be prudent due to the town's growth and fiscal complexities.
Seeing the town's historic approach to preparing an annual budget (waiting until the 11th hour and selectively parsing information to elected officials and the public, rather than projecting income and expenses through the remainder of the fiscal year), the budget's lack of detail and unprofessional format, and contrasting this to information submitted to the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts (APA) provides three valid reasons for acting on the suggestion sooner rather than later. Operating ACC and Dixie League venues, the town is moving to another level of cash handling ultimately closely tied to tax rates.
Another example can be found in routine functions, like paying water or sewer bills, meals taxes, or real estate and personal property taxes. These are processes which have a monthly, bi-monthly or annual cycle, yet can seemingly overwhelm an otherwise competent town staff when all items are due during the same time period.
This is demonstrated by accounts being incorrectly credited, water service disrupted or late notices mailed out inappropriately, wasting town resources. Staff being overwhelmed is evidenced by the length of time it takes from when a payment is made, and when that check clears at the bank -- often, these funds are held more than five (5) business days and as long as 12 banking days. Those funds are not collecting interest for the town during this time. Cumulatively, this can amount to significant sums, as clearly shown in simple process changes the county's Treasurer put into place in 2004.
Without a budget that shows the number of employees in each department, by the job description and salary scale assigned for these positions -- it is difficult for Town Council or citizens to say there's just too much work for too few people in any functional area. Without a budget that shows the number of items processed, permits applied for, gallons of gas pumped, inspections completed -- key performance indicators -- council really just doesn't have the data it needs to determine areas for improvement, much less funding.
Given the recession and with it decreased tax revenues, and seeing state and county governments already moving to reduce their current budgets up to 15%, Christiansburg citizens will want to see where cuts can be made and efficiencies gained -- before there's talk to justify any tax or fee increases.
Montgomery County, the MCPS school board, VT, RU, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Radford are all beginning a review of their budgets and the planning process for fiscal year 2009-2010 which becomes effective July 1. When will Christiansburg Town Council members hold their work sessions and be provided with the information they need to sustain current services and control increasing costs?