Case Scenario:
You are the Assistant City Manager for Centropolis, a city of 500,000 people in the Midwest region of the United States. The City employs 6,000 people in 25 departments, with a budget of more than $1 billion. Centropolis is the core of a metropolitan area with a population of almost two million people. The city shares borders with many other jurisdictions, including a booming group of suburban communities. Centropolis itself has recently undergone a downtown redevelopment and moderate population growth.
Within its 300 square miles, Centropolis is diverse in development patterns (ranging from urban core to first ring suburb to new growth suburb) as well as population demographics. Likewise, the city draws its revenues from many sources, including taxes (property, earnings, utility, sales) and fees. Like many other local governments during the economic downturn, Centropolis feels pressure from citizens to reduce or eliminate revenue sources, while maintaining or increasing service levels. The City seeks to stabilize its revenue outlook, particularly for its General Fund, which is the primary source of funding for administration, public safety, solid waste, streets, parks and code enforcement.
Draft a memo to the City Manager on your approach to stabilizing General Fund and other revenues while remaining responsive to citizen concerns. Include consideration of management, budgetary and political implications of your approach, as well as how your suggestions would impact the public and other external stakeholders.