Council Office Spending Policy IFC

[Colleen Pate]

Council—

As promised, I’m sharing a copy of the IFC I’m bringing to the council during the November 20th Council Meeting relating to reform of council office spending. I want to thank my current co-sponsors for this item, along with those who posted on the message board, and invite any council members who want to be included.

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 160158.pdf

This resolution affirms our commitment to fiscal accountability and transparency as stewards of the taxpayer dollars. Additionally, the responsibility of creating the reform measures and policy will be in coordination between the council and our city staff.

I am recommending that the Audit & Finance Committee be the initial vehicle for reviewing and considering all ideas leading to our ultimate reform measures. Of course, any recommendations will be presented to the full council for action. And, I will keep all the council aware, via the message board, of A&F Committee meetings and agendas (including special meetings that may be called). I encourage all council members to attend or otherwise assure the committee has your input.

I plan to have the first discussion of this issue during our A&F meeting on December 3rd, which should give us time (considering the Thanksgiving holiday) to do research, get input, and coordinate thoughts. Again, all council members are encouraged to attend.

It’s the end of the year, which means holidays have an impact on the calendar. The goal will be to have us in a position to vote as a full council by the end of January (at the first meeting of the new year). To do that will require special meeting(s) of the A&F Committee. I also want to recognize the need for appropriate deliberation and thought. So, while that’s the goal, we won’t rush. We’ll be as expeditious as being thoughtful and careful allows.

The goal of this reform effort is for us to be the model for best practices and a place that sets the highest standards.

This is only the first step, and I look forward to the discussion and dialogue we plan to have over the next few weeks.

Thanks,

Kirk
On Behalf of Mayor Watson

[Mike Siegel]

Thank you, Mayor, and to the subquorum, for putting this together. I agree this is timely and important. Please add me as a co-sponsor.

Mike

[Vanessa Fuentes]

I appreciate the policy direction on this reform item. I'd also like to be added as a co-sponsor.

Vanessa