HomeMy WebLinkAboutAttachment A- What's the Deal with Oshkosh GovernmentWhat’s the Deal with
Oshkosh Government?
Michael R. Ford
Associate Professor of Public Administration
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
@fordm10
www.michaelrford.com
Setting the Context
•Resources are finite
•Needs are infinite
•Values are contested
Politics vs Administration
Politics Administration
Politics decides and
administration does.
Political Values
•Representation
•Democracy
•Power
Administrative Values
•Expertise & Rationality
•Representation
•Power
Government Form
•Oshkosh has a City Manager form of government. The core premise
of the council-manager system is to separate the policy function from
the administrative function.
•The City Manager is the executive. They manage the day-to-day operations of
government.
•The city council is the political arm. They set goals for the City Manager to
execute. They do not manage day-to-day operations.
The Council decides, the Manager does!
Key Questions About our Government Form
Why do we have it?
Separating the policy function from the administrative function ensures that
the will of the people is voiced, but also that the government has the
competency to actually implement the will of the people. Done right, it
prevents micro-managing from the council, allows for long-term planning, and
takes day-to-day politics out of the task of running the organization.
Is it rare in Wisconsin?
No. Nollenberger and Simmons (2016) show that over 70 percent of Wisconsin
cities have a professional manager of some kind. According to the ICMA,the
council-manager form is also the most prevalent form of government
nationally. Strong mayor systems (where the mayor has executive powers) are
clustered in very small, and very large cities.
Home Rule
•Municipalities are “creatures of the state”
•Municipalities determine their local affairs and government, subject
to the constitution and legislative enactments of statewide concern
that uniformly affect every city or village.
•Dillon’s Rule
•Municipalities have expressed powers, implied powers, and powers essential
to the operation of the municipality.
Reality of the State-Local Relationship
•State dominated. Financially:
•Municipal aid is frozen.
•Revenue options like a sales tax cannot be unilaterally adopted.
•Tax levy is limited by revenue limits.
•Mandates don’t often come with resources.
•Regulating bodies dictate local action (cough cough Clearwell Project)
City Manager
•City Manager selected by Mayor/Council
•Indefinite term –at will employee
•Salary set by Mayor/Council
•Code of Ethics –No political activity
•Appoints Department Heads other than Police & Fire Chiefs
•All employees report to City Manager
•Budget creation and recommendation
•Policy alternatives, analysis and recommendations
Employees
•558 full-time, 102 part-time, and 95 seasonal employees.
•Of which
•14 are officials or administrators
•46 are supervisors/managers, and
•202 employees are involved in protective services.
Commissions/Committees?
•Required by state law or local action
•Business Improvement District (BID)
•Board of Zoning Appeals (BOA)
•Board of Review (BOR)
•Extraterritorial Zoning Committee (ETZ)
•Housing Authority
•Landmarks Commission
•Library Board
•Plan Commission
•Police And Fire Commission (PFC)
•Redevelopment Authority (RDA)
Commissions/Committees?
•Arts & Beautification Committee
•Bike And Pedestrian Committee
•Committee On Aging
•Equal Opportunity Housing Commission
•Grand Opera House Advisory Board
•Long-Range Finance Committee
•Museum Board
•Parking Utility Board
•Parks Advisory Board
•Rental Housing Committee
•Storm Water Advisory Board
•Sustainability Advisory Board
•Traffic Review Advisory Board
•Transit Advisory Board
Where is the Money Coming From?
Where is the Money Going?
Largest Employers
Local Government Challenges for Oshkosh
and Beyond
•Pocketbook issues are hugely important
•Tax Burden
•Signs of financial stress
•Concerns over Taxation and Shared Revenues
•Worries over local control
•Human Resources
•Turnover
•Succession Planning
•Infrastructure concerns
•Navigating COVID, the policy and the politics
Why do we care?
•Local government is more accessible
•Local government is more responsive
•Local government directly impacts quality of life
•Local government is us!
Questions?
Thanks
Fordm@uwosh.edu
www.michaelrford.com