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4 <br /> Mr. O’Connell said a committee is being organized, and he suggested that the <br />RFP process be done so we can see what proposals would look like and what they would <br />cost. He encouraged Council to at least set aside $50,000. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Norris, Mr. Maurice Jones, Assistant City <br />Manager, said discussions are being held about private funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said that the group from Lynchburg could be brought in to discuss <br />their program. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said it is hard to argue with the concept, but the issue is can we spend <br />$50,000 and make it happen. He said he has heard there was value to the Lynchburg <br />model. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said it reflects one of Council’s priorities, and is a clear opportunity <br />for us to talk about a difficult issue. She said in the long term she would like to see how <br />diversity can be made part of the comprehensive plan. <br /> <br /> Councilors agreed to set aside funding for the Dialogue on Race. <br /> <br /> Ms. Beauregard said that as a result of the Efficiency study, a performance <br />management analyst is proposed to be added. She said dedicated staff is required to do it <br />right. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Taliaferro, Ms. Beauregard said that $60,000 <br />is budgeted in the general fund and $60,000 in the utility fund for salary and benefits, but <br />added that all of that will probably not be used. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Taliaferro, Ms. Beauregard said that there are <br />93 total employees in all three utilities. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said that some employees are shared between the general fund and <br />utility funds. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if there are examples of similar positions in other localities, and <br />Ms. Beauregard said yes, though most are called something different and most localities <br />have someone in the budget office. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked for examples of things the position would be measuring and <br />reporting, and Ms. Beauregard said departments would develop plans with a mission, <br />vision, goals and objectives, and the person would look at efficiencies based on data. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if this is not something departments are doing anyway. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is not sure what measurement could be done in certain <br />departments. <br /> Mr. Norris asked what the argument is for creating such a position versus <br />investing in training for department heads to learn state of the art performance <br />management. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said departments do not have the horsepower for such an analysis. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said this is similar to the Dialogue on Race which sounds like a great <br />idea, but he is not convinced adding a person achieves the goal. He asked if it would be <br />possible to do this as a pilot with a consultant. <br /> <br /> Ms. Beauregard said it is being done now with existing staff, but the momentum <br />cannot be kept up. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell asked if Councilors have concern about the money or proving that <br />it has value. He said staff can provide more in-depth information to Council. <br /> <br /> <br />