The President's Corner

As President of Parma City Council, one of my priorities has been to inform the community about the make up, procedures and initiatives of Parma City Council. This article represents the latest in a series in which I will provide you, the reader, with a monthly glimpse into your local government. I would argue that the most important duty of a city council is what political scientists refer to as “power of the purse.” In other words, before any public funds can be expended, the local legislature (A.K.A. city council) must approve it. For instance, a city’s mayor may wish to purchase new police vehicles, build a new fire station or open a new swimming pool.  However, without council’s stamp of approval, the monies may not be spent. 

I often have residents ask me, “Where do all of our tax dollars go?” This is a very legitimate question and one of the reasons I originally ran for Parma City Council. In fact, when I joined Council, Mayor DePiero and my colleagues initiated an annual series of meetings in which the director of every city department – Safety, Service, Senior Services, Personnel, Recreation, the Parma Courts, etc. – comes before Council, presents their proposed annual budget and we discuss it line item by line item. Needless to say, it is a very time consuming and difficult task. However, it is an excellent example of how hard your elected officials are working to ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely. Further, it is among the most transparent budgeting programs in the state and, I would argue, nation.

Despite the very meticulous, informative and important process described above, few residents are present during these meetings. This is unfortunate because I believe that this would be a very interesting and helpful series of meetings for residents to witness.  Happily, City Council and our new mayor, Tim DeGeeter, will be continuing this tradition of transparent budgeting in 2012. Therefore, I am taking the opportunity in this month’s column to invite you – dear Parma Observer Reader – to come to YOUR city hall to observe YOUR city’s budgeting process. Below is a tentative schedule of our meetings; all of which will begin at 5:00 pm. However, I would advise you to call our office (number below) in case times, dates or departments change.

February 6: Mayor, Civil Service, Senior Services, Parma Public Housing, Treasurer, Tax and Recreation

February 13:  Auditing, Computer Systems, Law and Prosecutor, Parma Courts and Judges

February 21: Building and Engineering, Service Department, Human Resources, Council, Community Services and Economic Development

 February 27: Mayor’s State of the City Address

 March 5: Safety, Communications and Dispatch Center, Animal Control Officer, Parma Jail, Traffic

Signalization, and Auxiliary Police

March 12: Police and Fire Departments

March 19: Anticipated final budget consideration and vote

I hope that you find my column helpful and informative. I am always looking for ideas regarding what you would like to know more about regarding your local government.Thank you to the many folks who have contacted me with suggestions. If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact me at (440) 885-8091 or councilmanbrennan@sbcglobal.net. Looking forward to seeing you in 2012!