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# Neighborhood Councils Gaining Respect: Now at the City Budget Table
May 07 2015
Written by Denyse Selesnick.
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MY TURN-This time last year, **Neighborhood Budget Advocates (NCBA)** were complaining that the new Administration at City Hall wouldn’t even sit down with them to discuss the “**White Paper**” they had worked so hard to prepare. It was the third year that representatives from throughout the City had met with various City departments to look at budgetary considerations and made suggestions on additions and changes.
One has to remember that **NCBA** is as *non- partisan* as one can get, since board members are elected by their neighborhoods without political party identity. There are fiscal conservatives, progressives and the majority that fall in the middle.
So what changed? They expressed their disappointment to **Rick Cole, Deputy Mayor, Budget** **and Innovation**, who was very frank in his response. The big problem was… *they were too late.* The budget process was practically over by the time they presented the **“White Paper.**” He suggested they start earlier if they wanted a place at the table.
It is the consensus…at least among Neighborhood Councils… that **Rick Cole** is one of the very best Administrative appointments Mayor Garcetti has made. They took Cole at his word and presented this 2015-2016 budget White Paper 150 days earlier than the first one. It was finished February 15, giving everyone enough time to seriously discuss how the **NCBA’s** viewed each of the departments, their suggestions etc..
The *City Budget and Finance Committee* headed by Council President **Herb Wesson** and Councilman Paul **Krekorian** made a motion on March 4 to have it scrutinized by **Miguel** **Santana**, City Administrative Officer (CAO) and a report to be generated on each item.
According to Budget Advocate Co-Chairs **Jay Handel** and **Terrence Gomes,** they couldn’t be happier with the response from both Wesson, Kerkorian, and the CAO. They had been practically begging for years, to at least be invited into the room when negotiations were starting. This time they actually **had a seat** at the table. Handel also stated **“*The group of almost 30 BNCBA’s had done a herculean job in putting the White Paper together. They all have other lives and jobs so this was indeed a labor of love.”***
The CAO report was delivered to the NCBA’s the beginning of this month in time for their presentation to the Budget and Finance Committee which took place this past Monday. The report was given in two parts: one itemizing the CAO thinking in answer to each of the 125 items presented in the White Paper.
The second part of the report was grouped by categories. In going through it I noticed that many of the suggestions were either already in process; needed more analysis as to costs etc; or were not feasible in the present form.
The White Paper can be viewed at [www.NCBALA.com](http://www.NCBALA.com). The CAO report can also be found on the same website.
As an example, the NCBA’s suggested that the **Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (EmpowerLA)** have all of its employees in exempt positions (non-civil-service) instead of the four recently approved. The **CAO** replied that in order to do that there would have to be a Charter amendment (city-wide election).
Talking about elections… one of the disappointments in the report, is the **CAO** dismissing online elections for Neighborhood Councils in 2016. This was fully funded already, so money was not a deterrent. For some reason it has been a rather controversial topic. Some NC’s do not want on- line voting. The reason seems to be concern about people voting twice or voting out of their neighborhood district. My personal opinion is a good percentage of NC’s keep rotating their Boards with the same people and are afraid of being replaced. Since many of the seats are won by just a few votes margin, online voting would change the dynamic.
I think it is a great idea. Imagine, if it worked well and increased stakeholder voting by a large percentage? It could then be used as an example for LA to have city wide online voting. Perhaps, it wasn’t included in the Mayor’s tentative budget because some politicians, who win by very slim margins, are concerned that a much larger turnout would really change the way campaigns would be waged.
Since **EmpowerLA** already has the money…it may still be a go. LA is supposed to be the **“Capitol of Tech**” and online voting is a natural. Some States have already been using it and I’m sure the fraud factor has been explored and solved.
Between **Controller Ron Galperin’**s passion for *financial transparency*— and the combination of the **White Paper** and the **CAO** response—- one has a very good idea of what is going on in the City. It may not be sexy, but it sure packs a punch! It makes for interesting reading, even for a non -numbers person like me.
These things *add or detract* from our everyday life. Whether it is solving the sidewalk repair situation; looking at outsourcing for some City jobs; or determining a higher financial minimum for LA workers, this is where the action takes place.
I have been somewhat discouraged of late, looking at some of the things we **Angelenos** put up with and even worse, some of the things we don’t even know about. But when I see good people doing great things, with the only renumeration being satisfaction they are making their City better, it gives me hope!
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Totally off the subject …I am really starting to get annoyed when I hear our national (supposed) leaders say, *“The American people want* …” What American people are they referring to? In most cases they haven’t asked me or anyone else I know. At least have the decency to say “many or people I have spoken to “ etc., etc. There is no 100% American opinion.
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I don’t know why we can’t have a shorter campaign cycle like other civilized countries. By the time we get to the final election in November 2016, it will be a wonder that any one votes. We will be so sick and tired of the viciousness and rhetoric of an almost two year campaign season that our judgement , I’m afraid, will be not who will be the *best leader for this country, but who does the least irritating campaigning.*
As always comments welcome
*(Denyse Selesnick is a featured CityWatch columnist. She is a former Publisher/journalist/international event organizer. Denyse can be reached at: )*
**-cw**
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