Assignment:
Myatt is a suburban municipality with a council-manager form of government. Approximately 124,000 citizens live in the municipality. The average income of the citizens is $87,000 and approximately 75% of the citizens have college degrees. In the past, Myatt has enjoyed a reputation as a well-managed, fiscally prudent local government with very effective economic development ideas. For example, the municipality has low tax rates (when compared to neighboring municipalities), has low unemployment, and has a "rainy day fund" of approximately $99 million dollars. In short, no major crises or controversies seem to occur in the municipality of Myatt.
You have just been hired to be the city manager of this municipality. At one of your first meetings with the council, they inform you that Myatt will receive a reduction of 75% in revenues from the state over the next two years. This reduction in state revenue sharing is the result in a change of policy by the state government that is completely out of your control. The council also tells you that this is very problematic because Myatt's overall budget is heavily dependent on revenue sharing from the state with approximately 73% of Myatt's budget coming from state revenue sharing. The council then presents you with an analysis from the Finance Department which shows that the reductions in state revenue sharing will completely consume the rainy day fund next year unless something is done.
So, the council tasks you with developing some way to reduce expenses so that the rainy day fund will not be consumed next year.
During the following weeks, you do much thinking and research and finally decide to implement the Myatt Transformation Team plan. This plan mandates that the lead manager from each municipal department participate in the "transformation team." The "transformation team's" job is to decide how to implement a cost-savings plan that will result in the rainy day fund not being used. As city manager, you will chair each meeting of the "transformation team".
Discuss how you will manage this team and its meetings (note that your answer should not discuss finances or ways to cut the budget. I want to know how you will manage this team so that the most effective efficiency plan will emerge). Additionally, how will you make sure that the team engages in 'organizational learning?' How will you ensure that 'organizational learning' occurs across the organization?
Reference Point: The Myatt municipal government has the Following departments:
Administration, Animal Services, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Library Parks & Recreation, Police, Public Works, Sanitation, Streets.