Joint Finance Advisory Board & City Commission Meeting

Chair of FAB Ron Exline and Mayor Rene Varela

With the idea of getting direction from the City Commission as to its priorities and what they want the FAB to concentrate upon, the Board was essentially told to focus on the core responsibilities without pre-determining the outcome and investigate what it feels important.

Mayor Varela said that the City has already cut all the fat and it is cutting the bone right now. The FAB should come up with alternative models to function as a City. Commissioner Maxwell suggested that the Board picture a blank slate and then envision how the ideal city should look.

Making government more efficient was one of the top goals along with new potential revenue sources and reducing the contribution to our general fund from the Utility in order to reduce electric rates.

There were so many great ideas that came out of this joint meeting. The FAB was just that, "fab." The City Commission was attentive and gave good direction. Mayor Varela never sounded better. It was a productive meeting and I am sure that the Board feels much better about its value and purpose.