City to get all new Financial Software

Ahhhhh.....what happen to being in the hole in excess of $1.5 million, in the not to distant future. 

A number of questions to ask as to this plan based on the comment " will provide additional functionality to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of city operations"    1. Has the city made a decent, fair attempt to investigate whether the "operation" is actually efficient as to information flow-ie are they sure that they have looked for the most efficient way to create a satisfactory communication network for city operations to justify this major expenditure? 2. Are they sure, after investigating question 1, that they are purchasing the correct software/computers needed to accomplish a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT to justify the high cost and does the new software offer any future anticipated options? Can the new software be loaded onto the current system in place to save the cost of buying all new computers? How many quotes have they gotten for this software/computer/service package and have they gotten the best price? How much more benefit does this new software/computer/service offer than the one in place and is the upgrade worth the money expenditure? Hard times in old Middletown- gotta budget for bike paths, salary increases, pet projects, Section 8 house demolishing and other important issues that will make this city shine! Apparently the next time you are troubled about the condition of the streets, you can ease your mind by taking a trip to the city building to see some of that street money put into those new shiney computers just a sittin' in front of those prideful city employees. Besides- how complicated can the city's financial/budget program be? All you need is a file for Section 8, one for city employee raises, one for "special project" monies, a "bike path" account, a "downtown" account, a "South Main St. " account, one for business fines for sign violations, one for the high speed rail income and one for collections on fines levied out for rusty gutters and paint falling off of garages.

What doesn't make sense is they want to cut jobs but use money for a new computer system.  I think they need to know how to prioritize.  I admit that they  are probably over staffed in certain areas - but if the computer system is worth taking food from a family it better show some good results.

Pacman you are right - they do need to cut jobs - I just hate to see people lose jobs.  It just really gets to me when you see waste - not that a new system may or may not be needed - but I am all for fixing the roads.  I personally hate dodging the potholes in the morning when I am drinking my coffee.

Some city employees being warned they could lose their jobs

By Ed Richter | Saturday, August 8, 2009, 12:02 AM

Middletown city department heads have already started talking with employees who may lose their jobs due to shrinking budget projected for 2010.

The Finance Subcommittee of Middletown City Council instructed City Manager Judy Gilleland to cut $1.35 million from the projected 2010 budget. At that time, she said that everything including personnel was on the table. Gilleland also said that she wanted to make sure the potentially affected employees were given as much advance notice as possible.

Department heads have been sharpening their pencils to make further cuts, including possible personnel cuts, as the city continues developing its 2010 budget. In addition, there are collective bargaining contracts and civil service provisions that also have to be followed before an employee is let go from city employment

Downsizing is done all the time in private industry- why do we get the perception that the public job holders think it's taboo in their sector?

accuro- organizing and activism have been tried by individuals outside the "prominent" group you mentioned in town. Mr. Kidd tried years ago at the old Montgomery Ward building and it was tried at the Library on Sundays. Meetings have been conducted and information has been passed and discussed as is discussed on this forum. If you invited all 51,000 residents of this town to meet on the square (less the people in the other camp) for the purpose of organizing, I doubt if 500 would show. Apathy reigns supreme in town as you well know. Getting all the "complainers" to turn them into action is easy to visualize, almost impossible to create. The best laid plans of activism action doesn't seem to be enough to get the people out of their houses and to the meeting. No amount of enticing/encouraging, no amount of anger, no amount of unbelivable actions by this city will invoke enough response from average Joe citizen to act. Can't even get enough dissenters to the polls at voting time to offset the incumbant supporting voters, resulting in the same old results that trigger the cycle of complaining. An endless cycle of frustration. Don't have an answer as to how to get the citizens to act. Circulating petitions for recalls on the school board/Council? Circulating petitions to recall the city income tax increase, the removal of certain city government members or get the streets fixed or else? Might not get the actual removal done but may send a message that petitions can be done at any time and that some people in town are mad enough to do it???? I don't know the answer that would actually solve the problem here.

 

Many rank and file City of Middletown employees now must kiss a$$, kiss the ring of the great one even more often, etc., in fear of being on the upcoming EMPLOYEE LAYOFF LIST.  One word of the wise to these folks from my personal experience:  never think outside of the box because you will pay a stiff price vocationally and financially.