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City Council Goal #1
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GOAL #1: FINANCIALLY SOUND CITY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SERVICE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
OBJECTIVES:
• Take financially responsible actions creating a long-term sustainable City government. Follow sound fiscal policies and maintain fund reserves consistent with defined City policies and national standards.
• Provide sufficient resources to support defined City services and service levels. Provide best value for tax dollars and fees.
• Continue to evaluate alternative funding mechanisms for infrastructure maintenance.
• Increase trust and confidence in City government through resident engagement. Provide customer-friendly services and fees.
ACTION STEPS:
ACTION STEP 1: Improve and Repair Sidewalks and Streets. (Seven Votes)
We approved the gas tax to go to roads and sidewalks. This is important. Additionally, to make Rock Island a walkable area we need to look at additional areas to put in sidewalks. Residents bike as well, so we need bike lanes for residents to access those areas. If you want younger people to move here, we need to make it more urban, walkable and bikeable. |
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LEAD: PW Support: |
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Status:
This action step will assist in CED’s goal of making and keeping Rock Island a great city in which to live and do business. (Goal #4, Action Step #1) 2019 funding for Street Maintenance: • Motor Fuel Tax Funding -$984,000 budgeted (Used to pay for manpower and equipment of street maintenance and salt purchases. Street sweeping, pothole patching, street signing, snow removal, right of way maintenance and alley grading) • Gaming Funding – Varies year to year on funding amount and where it will be distributed Utility Pavement Patching Program $167,000 • General Fund Funding Brick Pavement Program $70,000 Asphalt Pavement Patching Program $70,000 Pavement Striping Program $70,000 2020 Estimated funding for Street Maintenance: • Motor Fuel Tax Funding - $984,000 • Motor Fuel Tax Funding - Increase July 1, 2019 $500,000 estimated increase and still TBD. • Local Gas Tax diverted to street maintenance $500,000 • Gaming and General Fund Funding TBD for 2020 (recommendation is to be at or above 2019 funding level) • September 2019 - Study Session to outline 2020 Street Maintenance plan with additional funding from Motor Fuel Tax and Local Gas Tax • October 2019 - CIP presented to Council for approval • December 2019 - 2020 Street funding level approved as part of the 2020 Budget • Spring 2020 - Street construction season begins • July 2020 - Update to Council on Street repair progress • Fall 2020 - Study Session to recap 2020 Street repair and present 2021 Street Maintenance Plan |
ACTION STEP 2: Re-examine Spending. (Seven Votes)
We spend a lot of money and I would like to make sure that it is being spent where it makes the most impact and not because a certain program exists. If it doesn't benefit all then perhaps it should not be funded currently. |
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LEAD: FINANCE
Support: Various Department (depending on POLCO results) |
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Status:
Proposed Timeline/Action Steps: Review of Gaming Funded non-capital expenditures on CIP Plan • September 2019: Management Review non-capital CIP expenditures ($500K to non-profit agencies.) • October 2019: Information presented to Council as part of the CIP approval process • October 2019: CIP presented to Council for approval. Non-capital (program) expenditures will reflect Council direction Review of Council Expenditures (see Action Step 5) Additional Transparency Initiatives • September 2019: Survey Council (and POLCO) for 5-7 areas of City spending that they would like more information • October: Compile Results of Survey • Sep – Mar 2020: Finance and Department Staff to prepare a study session presenting financial and operational information for each subject area • Jan – Jun 2020: Present one Study Session each month • Jan – Jun 2020: Post Presentation on City Website |
ACTION STEP 3: Solar Power Policy and Program – Renewable energy for infrastructure and community. (Five Votes) | |
LEAD: PW Support: |
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Status:
• Johnson Controls is currently reviewing solar possibilities at all City owned facilities including City owned parks. Looking at solar for individual buildings as well as solar farm options • October 2019 - Study session on performance Contracting recommendations including Solar options • November 2019 - Council vote on Performance Contracting/Solar |
ACTION STEP 4: Compensation Reform. (Five Votes)
- Reduce, hold, or limit increases where possible. - Wages, salaries, pensions - Health insurance - Other costly benefits - Look at Joint Administration Committee |
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LEAD: HR
Support: |
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Status:
• September, 2019 – Study Session on compensation and compensation reform • September, 2019 – Direction on AFSCME A / B and UAW negotiations • TBD – Changes based on Study Session direction |
ACTION STEP 5: Better Mindfulness in Purchase Card Spending. (Four Votes)
Some of the expenses seem excessive and unnecessary. With the recent FOIAs, it is imperative that we are mindful of spending taxpayer funds. |
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LEAD: Finance
Support: |
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Proposed Timeline/Action Steps:
Review of Council Expenditures • 5/15/2019: Draft Internal Policy for Council Pay and Expenditures for review and input • 6/15/2019: Survey Municipalities for Council Pay and Expenditures Practices • 7/8/2019: Study Session on Rock Island Council Pay and Expenditures • 7/22/2019: Council Resolution and Internal Policy Approval • August 2019: Implement Policy • January 2020: Purchasing Update |
ACTION STEP 6: Review Structure of Departments to Determine Value of Layered Administrative Positions. (Four Votes) | |
LEAD: HR Support: |
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Status:
• August 2019 – Report to Council of past and current Administrative structure (highlighting any changes over the past several years) and recommendations for future changes |
ACTIONC STEP 7: Create New Revenues. (Three Votes)
- Approve amusement tax - Examine other taxes (PILOTS, plastic bag fees, etc.) |
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LEAD: Finance Support: General Administration / CED / Public Works |
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STATUS:
Proposed Timeline/Action Steps:
Review of Council Requested New Revenues • September 2019: Study Session • Sept – Jan 2020: Future Steps to be determined by Council direction Review of Street Funding Initiatives • September: Study Session (with Public Works) • Sept – Jan 2020: Future Steps to be determined by Council direction |
ACTION STEP 8: More Open Events Where Residents Can Talk with City Staff and Council in a Casual Environment (Two Votes)
There is a mistrust of City staff and officials because they appear to be inaccessible to people. Encouraging council to show up at City events and neighborhood happenings is also important. Residents will appreciate the invested interest. |
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LEAD: CM
Support: All Departments, Mayor and Council |
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STATUS:
• Staff will hold two “Unplugged” events per year • Staff will attend Community meetings (neighborhood groups, block clubs, etc.) • Staff will attend Ward meetings when asked by aldermen • Staff will assist Council to set up regular meetings with citizens (like “Unplugged”, but for elected officials. Staff will present ideas) |
ACTION STEP 9: Have Exploratory Meetings for Privatization of Water System as a Way to Generate Money for Infrastructure. (Two Votes) | |
LEAD: PW/CM
Support: |
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STATUS: Will hold initial conversations with private utility companies to gauge feasibility. |
ACTION STEP 10: Balanced Budget. (Two Votes)
- Lower expenses - Raise revenues - Avoid property tax increase |
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LEAD: Finance Support: Council and all Departments |
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STATUS:
Proposed Timeline/Action Steps: 2020 Budget • 6/3/2019: Council Goal Setting Session • 6/25/2019: Budget Module Open for Entry • 9/17-25/2019: Department Budget Reviews with City Manager • 10/28/2019: CIP Approved by Council • 11/11/2019: Budget Presentation to Council • 11/18/2019: Department Budget Presentations to Council • 12/9/2019: Budget Ordinance, Tax Levy Ordinance to Council for Approval |
ACTION STEP 11: Gas Tax Re-direction. (Two Votes)
We voted to redirect the gas tax to roads and that is a positive step – even if it creates a funding imbalance. Clarified to address need for policy clarification and implementation and to work with staff on suggested language. |
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LEAD: Finance Support: |
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STATUS:
Proposed Timeline/Action Steps:
Gas Tax Re-Direction • August 2019: Finalize Estimate of 2020 Gas Tax Revenues • August 2019: Set up new Capital Fund in CY 2020 Budget and Budget for Transfer from General Fund to new Capital Fund • September 2019: Review Financial Policies for inclusion of Gas Tax Re-Direction language • September 2019: PW Presentation to Council on 2020 Street initiatives with new funding |
ACTION STEP 12: Zero Tolerance for Employee Bullying (Two Votes) | |
LEAD: HR
Support: Labor Attorney |
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STATUS:
• August 26, 2019 – Study Session update • September 2019 – Updated policy presented to Council |
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Rock Island, IL 61201
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