Letter to the Mayor Mayor's offire
DEC
Mayor David Narkewicz,
Northampton MA
The Charter Review Committee appreciates the support by you and your staff during our
work this year. The committee's report, which was filed with the city clerk on Dec. 12,
consists of an executive summary of our major recommendations, as well as an
annotated version of the city charter detailing all proposed changes.
During the course of our work, we deliberated on numerous matters brought to us by
members of the community. Matters coming before us that were not specifically
germane to the charter are not addressed in the executive summary and of course, do not
appear in the annotated charter. We take the opportunity with this letter to describe one
such matter and to offer several recommendations for your consideration.
Throughout its deliberations, the committee heard various concerns related to what
might best be described as "access to information." We do not interpret the testimony
received in this regard to be pleas for greater transparency, per se. There is a general
consensus that the city meets all statutory obligations regarding dissemination of
financial information. The concerns we heard deal more with availability of information
to the public, particularly those residents without access to computers and online
capabilities; the ability of information to present accurate "activity" data describing
performance goals and accomplishments for departments; and the timeliness of some of
the available information if it is to be used by officials for decision-making.
The committee consistently asked those giving testimony to be specific about the
information they are seeking. In virtually all cases, the information or data sought is
available somewhere, in some fashion. Nevertheless, the committee heard a desire for a
one-stop source for readily accessible data and information on departmental
accomplishments, which are sometimes available on non-city-maintained websites, such
as police crime reports contained in Federal Crime Statistics. Similarly, school
department data is generally available on the state's Department of Education website.
Again, the committee found that requests for information can usually be met using
online searches, if the searcher has the aptitude and access. Some residents are frustrated
that the city, which they believe has an obligation to provide data to citizens upon
request, does not make it more easily accessible. The city's website is not seen by some
to be an accessible portal for information searches, and perhaps should be reviewed to
determine whether the navigation can be made clearer. The committee recognizes that
these frustrations may not be broadly shared by many residents, but because several
people, including former and current city councilors, shared similar concerns, we offer
the following recommendations, which we hope may improve accessibility to
information.
Enhance the budget document with statistics on departmental accomplishments
during the prior fiscal year and goals for the current year. The committee did not
recommend any changes to Section 7-3 (Submission of Operating Budget; Budget
Message). We recognize the overall quality of the budget document and appreciate the
role it plays in contributing to the AAA rating the city earns for its fiscal management.
We recognize the effort the mayor and fiscal staff expend on crafting a comprehensive
budget message including financial planning guidelines and presenting it to the public
during community forums. We note that the section requires that"The budget message
submitted by the mayor shall explain the operating budget in fiscal terms and in terms of
work programs for all city agencies ... The proposed operating budget shall provide a
complete fiscal plan of all city funds and activities and shall be in the form the mayor
deems desirable." We believe that the "activities" portion of the budget might be
enhanced and an expanded section detailing departmental productivity metrics and goals
would be helpful as a single source of desired information.
Create an Information Nexus on the city website. The committee believes that
answers to many of the data-specific questions raised by residents during our meetings
are available through an online inquiry. However, some believe it is difficult to find that
information on the city's website. We believe that the city, in reviewing its website,
consider more descriptive headings for drop-down menus, and clearer navigation to
reports by department heads and vital statistics. Reference sources could include
municipal budget documents;,the annual audit (the CAFR, which provides 10-year
expenditure information); the city's "Open Checkbook"; Department of Public Works
productivity documents; and links to sites where city agencies provide statistical reports,
such as the federal crime database and the state Department of Education information
centers.
Consider "Know Your City" workshops. The committee suggests that workshops
where city officials inform residents about programs, goals and accomplishments might
be an important opportunity to give them the tools and skills required to access and
interpret financial documents and productivity reports, thereby minimizing direct
inquiries made to the mayor's office, individual councilors and department heads.
Recognizing that this year's election resulted in a fairly dramatic turnover on the City
Council, the committee suggests that offering such a workshop for councilors and
residents early in the new council term might be valuable.
Members of the Charter Review Committee welcome the opportunity to discuss these
recommendations at your convenience.
(Approved 8-0 by members Stanley Moulton (chair), Sam Hopper (vice chair), William
Dwight, Roberta Sullivan, Dylan Gaffney. Robert Boulrice, Patricia Healey and Mollie
Fox on Oct. 29, 2019. Lyn Simmons abstained from the vote.)