The Grass Roots Consulting team will be analyzing Kittanning Borough operations and finances over the next few months to develop a five-year plan. Pictured is consultant president Deborah Grass, public works consultant Jason Dailey, and police consultant Ron Leindecker.
With the assistance of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Kittanning Borough took its next step in a multi-phase plan that will identify strategies for long term financial management.
Regional Local Government Policy Specialist Michael Foreman, who represents the Southwest Regional Office of the DCED office in Pittsburgh, explained the Strategic Management Planning Program.
“Some of the areas that Grass Roots Solutions consultants will provide recommendations will be based on financial management, revenue enhancement, cost containment, economic development and land use, and other opportunities that may come up,” Foreman said. “Once the basic steps are concluded, we hold a public meeting to make presentation on finances – trend, monitoring, and emergency plan through 2019, if needed. Once concluded, you will have opportunity to discuss with me potential recommendation for initiatives for future funding.”
Deborah Grass, president of the consulting firm, along with several members of her team, explained the process.
“During July and August, we will do a comparable analysis that will compare you to other boroughs of similar size and same services,” Grass said. “We will do a five-year financial history, five years of projections, and give you some things that can be worked on before the end of this year.”
Grass said her team will be doing site visits in the borough to gather information about every aspect of operations.
“This isn’t blaming people or finding out what is done wrong. It is working with you for the future to make the organization the best it can be. We look at a wide array of things suitable for Kittanning,” Grass said.
Solicitor Ty Heller said this is a “unique opportunity to look at the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances,” which he said was an impediment to development. “With budget and collective bargaining agreements to be worked out this year, this financial information is important!”
Police Consultant Ron Leindecker said law enforcement must be studied carefully.
“We look at demographics by county,” he said. “We look at trends in salaries, tax base, population, crime statistics, the amount of services required, and the comparable wages.”
Vehicle fleets as well as other assets will be studied, including technology.
“The public does not understand what Council is attempting to do by bringing in consultants,” Mayor Scott Kline observed. “We need to educate the public, and get our website functioning.”
Whatever information is contained in the report, it becomes the focal point for future grant funding.
“In order for us to consider grant funding, the recommendation must be in the report,” Foreman explained.
Council President Kim Chelsea said she was concerned about blighted properties and that the borough population may dip below the threshold of 4,000 with the 2020 census.
“We look at demographics in several ways,” Grass explained. “We look at adjacent communities. We chart the tax burden on those communities as well as Kittanning. We do it in dollars and cents, not mills. We want to know how much of someone’s income they are paying out in government services in the borough.”
Jason Dailey, who is the consultant for public works, code/zoning, and parks, said it is important to understand how the public works department is utilized.
“We form a relationship with your staff. We can supply a lot of resources to help with best management practices,” Dailey pointed out.
The cost of the consulting services to Kittanning Borough is $53,875 – the majority funded by DCED. The motion to hire Grass Roots Consultants was made by Councilman David Croyle and seconded by Councilman Scott Davis.