Lake Worth loves Studies?

If you look at tomorrow night's city commission agenda, you will readily see that it's almost a waste of time attending them. The commission wants to get in and out in a flash.

It wasn't too long ago that when it came to hiring firms to complete "studies" (analyses), the idea was condemned. I have always approved of knowing the facts and have approved of feasibility studies but everything in that regard under former city manager Stanton was lambasted. Now it seems that this commission has had an about face over the past few years and have come to realize that studies might be smart afterall.  Before making crucial decisions that affect our city and its budget, we have to know all the specifics.  But what I have noticed with this commission is that they approve of all staff recommendations...whatever it is, it's great going in their eyes. In order to grab the cash, they always find justification for spending the money by citing other cities who have implemented the one they are promoting. This particular study will cost $139,529. It is under New business and will be approved on Tuesday, January 20:

Agreement with Burton & Associates for a Comprehensive Integrated Financial Sustainability Analysis for the City's 2015/2016 budget

SUMMARY:
This Contract will provide for the development of an inter-active Comprehensive Integrated Financial Sustainability Analysis that will provide the framework for the development of a City wide business plan and the basis for the FY2015/16 through FY 2026 Budgets. The program will provide the information for multi-year plans and will be based on the consultants wide ranging knowledge of local government finance projections. The system will plot multiple variables and changes through all funds that would be affected and allows for realtime changes of variables.

That platform has now been expanded and can be used for a Comprehensive Integrated Financial Sustainability Analysis on a City wide basis. This analysis will allow the City to immediately observe the impact of proposed fee and rate changes across all major funds and over a 10 year planning horizon. Using this analysis will significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the preparation, approval and maintenance of the City’s budget as well as provide the Commission with the information to clearly see the result of policy decision on the budget.