Dos Free Money » Budgeting

Yardi Advanced Budgeting Brings Next-generation Planning and Forecasting to …

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:51:30 +0000

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec 12, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Yardi announced today that it has launched Yardi
Advanced Budgeting(TM), an automated toolset that helps maximize
profitability for residential and commercial properties with accurate
budgeting and forecasting.

Unique among budget forecasting systems, Yardi Advanced Budgeting
produces budget projections by drawing “live” lease information directly
from the Yardi
Voyager(TM) property management and accounting platform. The
elimination of costly, time-consuming data exports and imports helps
property managers operate more efficiently.

Yardi Advanced Budgeting unites the budgeting and forecasting processes
in one flow through its tight connection with Yardi
PortfolioVMF(TM). The solution also produces custom revenue forecasts
by making exact “copies” of properties and allows users to factor early
termination of leases, space expansion and other “what-if” assumptions
onto the model properties.

“Yardi Advanced Budgeting provides reliable projections of renewal
rents, recoveries, charges, concessions and other key business factors.
With this crucial information built into their Yardi Voyager platform,
property owners can manage projects effectively, shape effective growth
strategies and build credibility with investors,” said Terri Dowen,
senior vice president of sales for Yardi.

About Yardi

Yardi Systems has been committed to the design, development and support
of real estate investment management and property management software
for nearly 30 years. With its Yardi Multifamily Suite(TM), Yardi Commercial
Suite(TM) and Yardi Investment Suite(TM), the Yardi Voyager(TM) system is the
most comprehensive single real estate management platform on the market
today. Yardi serves clients around the world from offices in Asia,
Australia, Europe and North America. More information about Yardi
products and services is available at
www.yardi.com .

SOURCE: Yardi Systems

Yardi Systems Inc.
Joel Nelson, 800-866-1144 x1255
Joel.Nelson@yardi.com

Financial Resolution Center Provides Tips On Budgeting This Holiday Season

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:34:33 +0000

With the payroll tax cut expiration looming, many Americans may find themselves shelling out an additional couple hundred dollars annually.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) December 21, 2011

Thats why its more important than ever for consumers to be on the right financial path this holiday season. Financial Resolution Center offers consumers the guidance needed to help keep track of their financial obligations and help them find a way to make their dollar stretch farther, even when unforeseen expenses occur.

The Chief Financial Manager with Financial Resolution Center states “Put together a spending plan that you can follow not only during the holiday season, but a budget you can utilize on a regular basis. By planning out your allotted expenses ahead of time, you are lessening the risk of buying on impulse which could set you financially beyond your means.”

The following are some complimentary tips from Financial Resolution Center that will come in handy with holiday budgeting needs this season:

Review Your Finances:

Take a look at your finances and figure out how much you are financially able to spend this holiday season on gifts and other assorted costs.

Set a Limit:

Set a budget for holiday purchases that include items like decorations, holiday food and assorted gifts.

Keep Track of Your Costs:

As you make purchases keep track of any costs that you incur, adding up the prices of each item you buy. This will help you to stay on target and within your budget.

Pad the Budget:

Make sure to pad your budget and figure in additional funds for each area in your holiday costs. Not only will this allow you room in case the items you are interested in purchasing are not on sale, but also in case you have an extra person or additional items you need to buy. Its better to over calculate, than under calculate when it comes to budgeting.

Dont take any unnecessary financial risks this holiday season and leave yourself without funds. To learn more useful tips on how to manage your money contact Financial Resolution Center at toll free (888) 272-0227 or visit us online at http://www.financialresolutioncenter.com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/12/prweb9035937.htm

Prudent budgeting, cost cutting, reorganization mark Shigley’s tenure as city …

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:12:18 +0000

Prudent budgeting, cost cutting, reorganization mark Shigleys tenure as city manager

By George L. Winship, Editor
Anderson Valley Post
Posted December 13, 2011 at 2:31 pm, updated December 16, 2011 at 10:41 am

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Englander E-News: Budgeting, Occupy L.A., Redistricting and More

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:23:19 +0000

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDERS E-NEWS

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Dec. 2, 2011

Working to Improve the City Budget With Performance-Based Budgeting…

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We introduced a motion this week in support of the proposal by City Controller Wendy Greuel to begin using performance-based budgeting in the City budget process.

Starting with the 2012/2013 budget process this spring, the Planning Department and the Bureau of Street Lighting will use performance-based budgeting in the budget proposals for their departments. They will include program goals for the departments and perfomance metrics that will allow us to measure the success and efficiency of their programs and activities.

Performance based budgeting will allow us to constantly keep track of the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, allow more efficient use of resources, and will reveal which programs are effective and which are not. This is crucial during these tough economic times, when City revenues are severely reduced.

Performance-based budgeting will be phased in. For the next phase, we called for all City departments to incorporate performance-based budgeting into their budget proposals for the next year. To see the motion, click here.

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Motion Calling for Accounting of Costs of Occupy LA..

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We introduced a motion on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 calling for a thorough report on all of the costs that the City of Los Angeles incurred because of the Occupy LA protest encampment.

At a time when the City has to weigh the cost of every service, every dollar spent, and every employee hour, it’s our duty to the taxpayers to explain and justify the massive expenditure of resources associated with the Occupy LA encampment.

We commend Chief Charlie Beck and the LAPD Officers who were careful to avoid the kind of violent clashes we have seen in other cities, when they cleared the park.

Our motion calls for the City Administrative Officer (CAO), the Police, Fire, Transportation, and Recreation and Parks Departments, the Bureau of Sanitation and any other impacted City Department to report on all of the public resources that were expended during the 60-day illegal encampment that was built on the lawns of LA City Hall. For 60 days, Police Officers and Firefighters were working or on standby, to manage the protest encampment and the associated damage to public property, crime, drug and alcohol use, and public health and safety threats that had emerged.

To see photos of the clean up of the City Hall lawn, visit the photo galleries on our website.

We must have an accounting of those costs. For 60 days, all of those resources were diverted away from providing the regular City services that LA residents depend on, and the public needs to know what that impact was. The operation to remove the encampment on the night of Tuesday, Nov. 29, involved 1,400 officers and large numbers of other personnel, vehicles and other resources.

To see the motion, click here. To see our press release, click here.

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Dangerously High Winds Expected in LA Area Through This Weekend…

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We are experiencing some of the most powerful winds seen in more than 10 years in the LA area, and they are expected to last through the weekend.

The LA Department of Water and Power (DWP) reports that over 100,000 customers, including 3,000 in the San Fernando Valley, were without power during the week due to the high winds. Many have since had power restored, and DWP has over 100 crews as well as reinforcements from out of state working to restore power.

Safety Tips

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Be extremely cautious of downed power lines, and falling trees, branches, and other debris that has been damaging buildings and cars, and blocking roads all around the LA area.

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Be sure to secure items in your outdoor area that can blow over and become hazards, such as lawn furniture, potted plants and childrens toys. Make sure you have flashlights with fresh batteries in case your power goes out.

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Never touch a downed or dangling wire of any kind, or anyone or anything in contact with it. Always assume a downed line is still energized. Report any downed power lines immediately by calling the LADWP at (800) 342-5397. If you or someone else is in danger, call 911. Call 311 to report downed trees or branches.

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If a power line falls on your car, stay in the car and wait for help. If you must get out, do not touch the metal parts of the car and the ground at the same time. The safest exit method is to open the door, stand on the door sill and jump free without touching the car.

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Stay away from metal fences, such as a chain link fence, as there may be a power line down and touching the fence somewhere beyond your sight.

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If there is damage to the connection from the power pole to your house, you should go to the electrical box and turn off the main switch or shut off the fuse switch.

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In case of an electrical emergency, stay calm and think before you act. Dont become a victim while trying to help others. Call 911.

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If someone is shocked or not breathing, call 911 and apply cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Then cover the victim with a blanket, keep their head low and medical attention.

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To see more safety tips from the Los Angeles Fire Department, visit http://bit.ly/95wiMm.

To see an online map of wind related power outages, downed trees and other hazards visit http://bit.ly/vli2he.

For live updates on power outages at www.twitter.com/LADWP.

For wind advisory updates visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website at http://1.usa.gov/fe2Zxg.

28th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade This Weekend…

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Dont miss the 28th Annual Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, a great San Fernando Valley tradition, this Sunday Dec. 4.

Bring your family to enjoy this community parade, running down Chatsworth St. from Petit Ave. to Zelzah Ave., and then south down Zelzah to Kingsbury St. The theme is Winter Wonderland, and the Grand Marshall will be Shirley Jones who starred in the classic TV show The Partridge Family. There will also be hundreds of entries, marching bands, floats, music, performances and more!

Sunday, Dec. 4
Chatsworth St. amp; Petit Ave., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.
Parade begins at 1:30 pm
Tow-away no parking and street closures on the parade route begin at 9:00 am, Dec. 4.

To see the line-up for the 2011 parade, click here. To see photos from last years parade, click here. For more information, email Parade Chair John Ciccarelli at jcicarelli@aol.com or call (818) 363-7467.

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A Day Without a Bag to Protect Our Oceans…

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Heal the Bays annual Day Without a Bag is coming up on Thursday, Dec. 15, so look for free giveaways of re-usable shopping bags just in time for holiday gift shopping.

Day Without a Bag is organized by Heal the Bay, and sponsored by partners City of LA, Department of Public Works, Union Bank, and 99 Cents Only Stores.

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, Day Without a Bag raises awareness about the important environmental impact you can make with your personal consumer choices. Last year, over 25,000 fashionable, functional re-usable shopping tote bags were given away in LA County at 171 giveaway locations. This year for the first time, the LA County Public Library is giving out 8,000 bags at 85 library branches.

Locate the free bag giveaway site nearest you at www.healthebay.org/DWABCheck out these special bag deals only
available on Day Without a Bag: 99¢ Only Stores gives you a FREE
reusable bag with a $29.99 purchase. Union Bank branches are giving
away reusable bags to customers. Ralphs will give TRIPLE Reward
Points for shoppers who have reusable bags in Los Angeles County.

A Day Without a Bag focuses on educating Southland shoppers to adopt more sustainable practices during the holidays and coming year. Holiday shopping generates a tremendous amount of waste, including one-time use shopping bags, so its a perfect time to make a big difference. The event also aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags.

The City of Los Angeles has the most successful plastic films and bag recycling program in the country. Despite that, only about 5% of the more 6 billion plastic bags used in LA County each year are recycled. Millions of them end up in our oceans, where they kill marine life and harm fisheries, and damage the natural beauty that is at the heart of coastal tourism. Plastic bags are made from non-renewable fossil fuels.

To learn how your business, school, faith group or neighborhood can take part in A Day Without a Bag, contact Meredith McCarthy at Heal
the Bay at (310) 451-1500, x116 or email mmccarthy@healthebay.org.

SCAQMD to Hold Public Hearing on Odor Abatement at Sunshine Canyon Landfill…

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The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) filed a petition to amend the stipulated order of abatement between the AQMD and Republic/BFI in response to the hundreds of verified odor complaints received concerning the Sunshine Canyon Landfill. SCAQMD is holding a public hearing on the petition at the Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences in Granada Hills on Saturday, Dec. 3.

The petition requires that many improvements be made to the landfills gas collection and flaring systems and requires an onsite independent environmental monitor. Click here to see the full petition.

Saturday, Dec. 3
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Valley Academy of Arts amp; Sciences
10445 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.

We introduced a resolution in support of the SCAQMD petition.
Click here to see the full resolution.

PALS Holiday Toy Drive…

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Join us in helping ensure that at-risk kids in our community can have holiday gifts by donating to the Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League) Youth Center Toy Drive. Drop off unwrapped, new toys, books or gift cards in the donation box at the Council District 12 Office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Nov. 28 to Dec. 16
Mon. to Fri., 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Drop-off: CD 12 Office
18917 Nordhoff St., Suite 18
Northridge

All donated toys will go to kids who participate in PALS programs. PALS offers valuable after-school programs, including sports, education, and mentoring with LAPD Officers to give at-risk youth in our community positive alternatives to crime, gangs and drugs. Please visit www.devonshire-pals.org.

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Join Operation Gratitude and Help Support Our Troops Overseas During the Holidays…

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There are only three more Holiday Assembly Days so come join Operation Gratitude and help assemble care packages to send to US troops serving overseas. The next assembly day is on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Saturday, Dec. 17
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Operation Gratitude
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys

Operation Gratitude is a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit that organizes volunteers and donors to put together care packages to ship to our troops serving overseas to offer them support and comforts from home. The care packages include everything from toiletries and snacks to books and letters of support.

Please RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator Penny Alfonso by sending an email to opgratvolunteer1@yahoo.com with Operation Gratitude Volunteer in the subject line.

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for Their Community Clean-Up and Help Keep Northridge Streets Clean!

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Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for their weekly community clean up effort and help keep Northridge looking clean, green and beautiful!

On Thursday, Dec. 8, they will continue their work, removing weeds and trash, and doing maintenance on the raised garden area and tree wells on the east side of Corbin Ave., from Vintage St. to Lassen St. in Northridge.

Thursday, Dec. 8
8:00 am
Wilbur Ave. amp; Vintage St., Northridge

At 8:00 am they will review the game plan with free refreshments provided by Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Bring gloves if you have them, sunscreen, a sunhat and appropriate shoes for outdoor work.

For more information, call Jo Ann Philips at (818) 304-4989 or email Japhillips1@yahoo.com.

Festival of Trees…

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Dont miss Northridge Hospital Foundations Festival of Trees, a three-day event where individuals and businesses can purchase, decorate, display and donate an artificial tree, wreath, centerpiece or handmade quilt for the Hospitals silent auction.

Enjoy live entertainment in the Magical Music Land with carolers, live bands and dance acts. Stop by Santas Sweet Shop for hot cocoa, candy, fudge, cookies and other holiday treats.

The event raises funds to help Northridge Hospital purchase lifesaving equipment, technology and to support programs for the Richie Pediatric Trauma Center.

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Festival Celebration
Friday, Dec. 2 amp; Saturday, Dec. 3
10:00 am to 9:00 pm
9410 Jordan Ave., Chatsworth
Entertainment amp; children’s activities, auctions on festival items.
Tickets: Adults – $5. Kids ages 3 to 12 – $3. Free for kids under 2.

For more information, visit or call (818) 885-5341 ext. 3

CANCELLED: Dog Licensing amp; Vaccination at Sepulveda Off-Leash Dog Park…

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Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) low-cost vaccination clinic will not be at the Sepulveda Basin Off Leash Dog Park on Sunday, Dec. 4.

For more information about licensing and vaccinations call West Valley Animal Care Center at (818) 756-9326. For more information about the Sepulveda Basin Off Leash Dog Park please call Recreation and Parks at (818) 756-8185.

Re-Districting Commission to Hold Public Meetings in the San Fernando Valley…

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The LA City Councils Redistricting Commission is holding a series of public meetings as part of the process of drafting new Council District boundaries. Every 10 years, following the US Census, districts are redrawn at all different levels of government, including the Los Angeles City Council Districts.

The Redistricting Commission is holding a number of public meetings in the San Fernando Valley. The Commission wants public input about the shape of the new Districts in advance of creating the early drafts.

Monday, Dec. 5
7:00 pm
LAPD Devonshire Youth Center
8721 Wilbur Ave., Northridge

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Wednesday, Dec. 7
6:30 pm
Van Nuys City Hall
14410 Sylvan St., Van Nuys

Saturday, Dec. 17
11:00 am
West Valley Christian Church
22450 Sherman Way, West Hills

To learn more about the process, visit the Redistricting Commissions website. There you can also find meeting agendas and minutes, documents and district maps dating back to the 1970s.

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Police Commission Meeting in Northridge…
Our Legislative Deputy Alexis Marin covers issues related to public safety, including the Los Angeles Police Commissioners. She reports this week that the Police Commission will be holding a community meeting in Northridge in January.

#13;

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6:30 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Church
9501 Balboa Blvd. (at Plummer St.)
Northridge

#13;

Join the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, Councilmember Mitchell Englander, and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck for a community meeting to discuss public safety issues in the Devonshire Area and the City of Los Angeles.

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Under the City Charter, the Board of Police Commissioners is the head of the Police Department. Established in the 1920s, the Board consists of five civillian volunteer Commissioners who set overall policy while the Chief of Police manages the daily operations of the Department and implements the Board’s policies or policy direction and goals. To learn more about the Police Commission, click here.

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Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices and other auxiliary aids and/or services are available upon request. To ensure availability, all requests for reasonable accommodation must be made at least three business days (72 hours) in advance.

For more information, please call (213) 236-1400.

3 essential personal finance New Year’s resolutions

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:24:11 +0000

The New Year is a time for resolutions, but seeing them through is something that many of us tend to find challenging. An estimated 20% of New Years resolutions will have failed by the time December comes around, once more suggesting that as individuals we are too focused on the negative when it comes to upholding our promises. In the current economic climate, personal finance resolutions are especially widespread as we strive to tackle our debts and maintain prosperity despite the constant threat of a recession. With this in mind, you should look to set relevant and manageable goals for yourself as you enter 2012, and lay down a marker for a financially independent future. (For related reading, see Financial New Years Resolutions You Can Keep.)

TUTORIAL: Credit And Debt Management

Get to Grips with Your Credit Rating

It was reported that consumer confidence in the US rose suddenly this week, as enhanced spending sent stocks modestly higher than they had been previously. While this may be a portent for an improving economy, it could also be a consequence of families investing a little more of their hard earned money into organizing their Christmas festivities. If it is the latter, then there is a danger that families are spending beyond their means in order to fulfill their Christmas ideals, leaving them vulnerable to increased debt and financial liability in 2012.

Consumer debt is undoubtedly a significant issue in the US, and the truth is that many individuals remain in the dark when it comes to the exact details of their credit rating. Your first step in 2012 should be to get to grips with your existing debt levels. So, obtain a free credit report and assess every individual liability against your name. There may well be debts that you are entirely unaware of, not to mention those that may have already been settled and need to be removed from your records. Either way, understanding your financial standing is the key to improving it. (To learn more about your credit rating, read The Importance Of Your Credit Rating.)

Return to Basics: Make Cash Your Master, Not Plastic

Credit card debt accounts for up to 98% of the total US revolving debt, and remains the scourge of consumers throughout the country. If you assess every household in the US that is burdened by credit card debt, then the average liability stands at a staggering $15,799 for each, and this is undoubtedly something that consumers need to address during the forthcoming year. A good way to start would be to stick rigidly to cash or debit card payments for all purchases, ensuring that every expenditure is funded through an existing bank account.

This achieves far more than making sure that every financial transaction is supported by actual funds. It also limits the amount that consumers spend on purchases, as it is estimated that individuals may invest anywhere between 12 and 18% more when using credit cards than they would normally. Fast food chain McDonalds suggested something similar in 2010, when they reported that the average transaction soared from $4.50 to more than $7 when consumers wielded the plastic. Using real money always makes us think twice, and this a good habit to get into when cultivating best financial practice. (Read about how credit card interest is calculated, see Understanding Credit Card Interest.)

Make Saving as Big a Priority as You Possibly Can

Your mother probably always encouraged you to save your money. Whether you listened or not is another matter, but the truth is that having significant savings has never been more valuable to Americans. Look at the housing market for example, where negative equity is burdening more than 50% of mortgages throughout the country, meaning that repeat buyers in particular cannot sell their property for a high enough value to pay off a realtor and place a minimum 10% deposit on their next purchase. Having significant savings would negate this to some degree of course, and afford home-owners a greater choice in buying and selling their properties.

Now, this is easier said than done in an economy where growth is minimal and unemployment is high, but committing to saving sums of cash that are relative to your incomings is always good practice. Consider how manyAmericans over 60 must face delaying their retirement plans, or others who are struggling to cope with the overall cost of living in the country. Even a seemingly minimal level of savings could make a significant difference to your future, especially if you commit to the process early enough.

The Bottom Line

Thethree New Years resolutions are certainly not easy to adhere to over time, but they could well prove to be the difference between a year of financial hardship and one of relative prosperity. January 1 of each year provides a wonderful opportunity to start afresh and adopt a new attitude to your financial practice. So, evaluate every area of your incomings and outgoings in order to ensure that you are not in the same position when 2013 comes into view. (To learn more about budgeting, read 3 Alternative Budgeting Styles: Which One Suits You?.)

Lagos Assembly: Budgeting for a Mega City

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:41:43 +0000

Budget retreat is an annual event of the Lagos State House of Assembly. Usually, it comes up after the state governor has presented the Appropriation Bill to the House. But the retreat for the 2012 budget however, was sort of enlarged one involving the legislators, management and staff of the Assembly, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Lawmakers from other states were also part of this years retreat. 20 lawmakers came from Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Kwara and Taraba states. The Deputy National Chairman of ACN, Boss Mustapha, was also a participant. According to the Acting Clerk of the House, Olusegun Abiru, the ACN lawmakers from other states were invited to share experiences, values and also benefit from this retreat.

The retreat was put together by the Lagos state House of Assembly in collaboration with the firm of Messr FMamp;T Consulting, a capacity building outfit.

The five-day retreat, which took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, lasted from Sunday, November 27 to Thursday, December 1. The theme was : Good governance through legislative performance-in formation budgeting. Abiru said the theme was specially chosen to improve the skill of legislators in budgetary matters and assist in discharging their oversight functions. He said: The retreat is also part of the Houses drive for capacity building efforts of the leadership of the House so as to bridge the yearning gap between the legislature on one hand and the executive and judiciary on the other.

The objectives of the retreat also include: familiarizing members with the linkage between the executive and legislative arms of government on budget process; enhancing the understanding of participants on the budget process; identifying vital programmes and projects which promote good governance, economic growth and strengthen the institutionalization of democracy and democratic practice in Lagos state; facilitating easy comprehension and speedy passage of year 2012 Appropriation bill; and strengthening the capacity of the legislature.

Welcoming participants at the opening ceremony, Speaker of the House, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, said: The retreat was put in place to equip us with the required skill to effectively carry out our constitutional role of oversight in the day-day budget implementation and performance by the executive arm. As the true representatives of our people across the 40 constituencies of our state, I urge you, my distinguished honourable colleagues to be more determined to record even greater achievements far above what all past legislative Assemblies in Lagos state have had to their credit to date.

As lawmakers, the time has come for us to gird our loins in our determination to successfully battle the cankerworm of increasing poverty, unemployment and misery that have been confronting our people due to the worsening global economic woes, and liberate our people once and for all. Apart from the fact that we must not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to perform our oversight functions on the Executive, we should equally wear our thinking caps in order to make this Seventh Assembly the most pro-people and pro-development legislative House, not just in Lagos here but indeed across our great country, Ikuforiji said.

He enjoined his colleagues to ensure that as they commence work on the 2012 budget it is properly scrutinized and promptly approved in order that our people start enjoying the dividends of democracy. Adding that attention must be paid to the local governments in order to enable the people to regain confidence in the local governments.

In his welcome address , the Acting Clerk said, the annual retreats, from benefit of hindsight, has continued to enrich the knowledge of members in addressing various issues that may crop up during bilateral discussions with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) on the budget. He commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms which he said has led to laudable achievements by both arms. While stressing on the prime of place of the legislature in a democracy, Abiru admonished the Lagos Assembly to remain relevant and catalyze other arms of government to efficient performance by making good laws that would enhance good governance.

To this end therefore, let me use this opportunity to assure honourable members and staffers that the leadership of the House would not relent in its effort to expose them to training and retraining which would enhance their legislative duties and by extension impact positively on the other arms of government, Abiru said.

According to him, the various challenges confronting the state government places on the legislature huge responsibilities not only by ensuring quick consideration and passage of the 2012 Appropriation bill but also the need to do an objective critique of the budget estimates and accelerate the development of the state, Abiru said.

He advised members to apprise themselves of the principles of Medium Term Sector Strategy Module (MTSS) which is to be applied in the 2013 budget, so as to be able to analyse the budget estimates presented to them. Abiru also informed members that the Lagos state House of Assembly Budget and Research office would become operational in the first quarter of year 2012.

With Lagos state House of Assembly Budget and Research office in place, the House would have succeeded in perfecting the art of critical budget analysis, monitoring and implementation which would further enhance the realization of the policy thrust of the state government.
He further advised the House not to rest on its oars even though it is an irrefutable fact that Lagos state House of Assembly is a pace setter and has indeed carved a niche for itself in legislative matters, but should instead strive to churn out people oriented and life changing laws.

However, I am glad that we have a governor who has been described as an actualiser working with a legislative body that is adjudged as efficiently functional. I have no doubt therefore, that the oversight functions in year 2012 would be transformative and better discharged to the benefit of the citizenry of Lagos state, Abiru said.

Those who delivered lecture at the event were Hon. Chris Asoluka, Head, FMamp;T Consulting, Col. HO Olutoye (rtd), Prof. Alex Gboyega, Dr. Remi Aiyede, Dr. SA Danwaka and Mr. Ben Akabueze, Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget who shed light on the budget estimates.

South Kingstown Begins Budgeting For Next Year

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:03:04 +0000

South Kingstown Begins Budgeting For Next Year

Town Council and School Committee members took the first step Monday in a six-month process to create the budget for fiscal 2013.

The Spending-Performance Equation

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:27:29 +0000

Two decades ago, performance-based budgeting was all the rage. When times were flush during the late 1990s, its appeal faded. But as state and local budgets have tightened, interest in performance budgeting and the heightened level of accountability it provides if implemented correctly is again on the rise.

Performance-based budgeting holds government agencies accountable for what they achieve, not just what they spend. It requires agencies to determine what their goals are, then establish specific outcome measures to determine whether they are achieving those goals. The next step is to link appropriations to results by using outcomes to help officials decide how to apportion scarce resources.

Half the states are currently using some form of performance budgeting. As part of their budget requests, Iowa agencies are required to show their performance levels and link them to their budgets by describing how different funding levels would affect that performance. Virginia used performance data to cancel a $3.2 million employee wellness program that had sub-par participation. The commonwealth also invested an additional $22 million in a pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children after an audit tied the program to higher literacy rates.

In a perfect world, every state would use performance-based budgeting. But we dont live in perfect world. In October, California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a performance-budgeting bill that unanimously passed both houses of the legislature. He argued that developing and tracking performance metrics for all departmentssome of which should perhaps be eliminatedwould cost tens of millions of dollars and be unlikely to yield benefits. But having the data available for all agencies is the only way to make apples-to-apples comparisons of potential spending priorities across government.

Doing performance budgeting right requires a long-term strategic plan. The ONE North Carolina Agenda is a good example. It lists statewide priorities and goals that provide agencies with direction, but also gives them space to define specific goals and performance measures.

Just as corporate executives are often overly focused on quarterly profits, elected officials arent always great at making plans that extend beyond their own terms. And even if they are willing to look beyond the horizon, governors, legislative leaders and agency heads dont always agree on longer-term priorities.

Implementing a whole new approach to budgeting requires training and takes a lot of work, particularly on the front end. Establishing goals and performance measures means building budgets from the bottom up, not just focusing on incremental increases or cuts. It takes a lot of time to regularly review and update performance measures. These tasks present a particular challenge during a period of scarce resources. And lets face it: Some government workers will resist being held far more accountable for results.

But performance-based budgeting is a tool that offers the promise of providing taxpayers with a realistic answer to the question, What am I getting for my money? That alone makes overcoming the obstacles to its implementation well worth the work.

Colorado’s improving budget forecast spreads holiday cheer

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:03:42 +0000

Gov. John Hickenlooper said Tuesday he is pleased the states executive director of budgeting could bring some holiday cheer to lawmakers with a revised budget forecast that might potentially allow $89 million to be restored to Colorados education funding.

Still, the head of the legislatures money- minding Joint Budget Committee stopped short of endorsing the plan to boost education dollars based on budget predictions.

Were still in a very tentative situation economically, said Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen. We need to stay vigilant and careful with our budget.

Hickenloopers budget-makers told legislators they expect revenues for the current fiscal year to come in $231 million above expectations. That, plus an expected boost to next fiscal years revenues, have the governor proposing the restoration to K-12 education funding, plus additions to the higher-education budget and to a program that helps needy seniors pay their rent and heating bills.

Its one of the good days to talk about the budget, Hickenlooper said at a news conference.

Henry Sobanet, executive director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, said, Everything syncs up with places we didnt want to cut.

The nonpartisan economists of the Colorado Legislative Council, who work for lawmakers, estimated this years budget boost as only $148 million, though they are more optimistic than the governors office about next fiscal years revenues. But Natalie Mullis, the Legislative Councils chief economist, said the differences arent significant.

She cautioned, though, that the extra money which comes in a general-fund budget of about $7 billion doesnt mean Colorado is flush.

It sounds like a lot of money, she said, but its really not because it doesnt include the cost of inflation and rising caseloads.

Still, reaction to the budget news Tuesday was, understandably, positive.

The Colorado Education Association called Hickenloopers budget proposal a welcomed gift for Colorado kids this holiday season.

Sobanet said a factor that could alter the current budget forecast is another major economic disruption in Europe.

Colorado exports a lot of goods and services to Europe, Sobanet said. Theyre a major trading partner. If their inability to purchase goods and services is hampered in some way, thats how it could affect the national economy, and Colorado is linked to our national economy.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument, criticized Hickenlooper for not instead using the extra money to restore a $100 million property-tax exemption for seniors.

While I am disappointed that Gov. Hickenlooper continues to propose a property-tax increase on Colorados seniors most in need, Colorados slow economic recovery gives us reason for optimism, Stephens said in a statement.

John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or jingold@denverpost.com

City Council members focus on reform

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:20:14 +0000

This years mayoral election brought up topics of zero-based
budgeting, efficiencies in the city, cutting red tape for
businesses, and creating a procurement code thats reliable. Now,
before the new mayor has even stepped in, some City Council members
are taking a deeper look at all of those issues.

Whats happening right now is everybody seems to be gravitating
toward one or two of the reform issues they feel are important,
said Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who is forming a group, along with
Councilman Tom Simplot, to cut red tape. Those are all important
reforms that Ive been talking about for two years now.

DiCiccio and Simplot have a goal to get their committee cutting red
tape as soon as possible, and have the first changes brought to the
city in 60 days. Their committee is the newest in the city focused
on reform.

Jim Waring is working on procurement, Bill Gates is looking at
efficiencies, and Vice Mayor Thelda Williams is working on a
zero-based budget.

As a state senator for several years, I tried to focus on three
issues that were my big things, Waring said. While I may focus on
procurement, Im certainly working on other issues as well. Theres
at least a couple of us trying to divvy up the work a little bit.
You try to be the expert in those issues. If you try to be the
expert in all issues, youre going to have a problem. Theres not
enough hours in a day. This is all stuff I worked on as a state
senator, so its sort of carrying over.

Waring is hoping that a year from now the city will have changed or
improved three major things about procurement. He would like to see
complaints about the system sent to someone other than those
running it, Phoenix-based businesses have some advantage over
out-of-state businesses and theres more uniformity in the way
things are run.

Waring said hes talked to the new mayor, Greg Stanton, about this
issue and hopes it will get some attention in the coming year.
Stanton did say during his campaign that he is opposed to a
one-size-fits-all approach to a procurement code, but the process
in general is something that needs adjustment.

He has asked me if I had any special requests for subcommittees,
Waring said. Realistically, I feel like committees are a way to
not do anything – its not. I hope a year from now well have
settled a lot of the issues at the city, and well have a firmer
financial sitting.

Gates has been working on creating more efficiencies within the
city for a year, and says its an ongoing process.

I think for me, coming from the private sector, Ive always been
focused on efficiencies and its something the private sector had
to focus on quicker than government, just given the profit motive,
Gates said. To see that translated into government I saw as a real
challenge, and Im very pleased with what weve been able to do so
far. Were certainly not done.

Gates is also waiting on word from Stanton as to whether or not his
committee will be allowed to continue, but finding efficiencies is
something Stanton did outline as an important issue. Stanton
suggested combining some departments within the city, for example,
something Gates committee has already been working on.

Williams is working on the final reform act, something DiCiccio
says could be the biggest zero-based budgeting.

If Thelda gets her process through it will be known as the best
budget anywhere in the country, and the most transparent, DiCiccio
said. I saw what she helped put together, and it was already
considered to be the best.

Williams was not available for comment on where the process is at,
but a zero-based budget would allow residents and the council to
search over the budget line-by-line to determine what is necessary.
It would force departments annually to add up costs they need,
rather than starting with the past years budgeting and adjusting
that. DiCiccio hopes the city will honestly accept the idea.

There seems to be an early commitment to get these things
through, DiCiccio said. The goal is to be the best, not one of
the best. Not to be better, but the best at everything we do. If we
can move these four critical reform components forward, thats real
substantive, youll see a much better, stronger city, and well
create more jobs in the private sector.

Contact writer: (480) 898-7914 or
ahurtado@ahwatukee.com