The Keys to Success
By Supervisor Bill Horn
This past June, I joined my fellow supervisors to unanimously approve the County of San Diego's budget for fiscal year 2006. After several months of preparation by County departments and days of public testimony, it took us about 15 minutes to OK an on-time balanced budget of $4.14 billion.
Here's how we do it.
The annual budget process started last September with a review of our Strategic Plan. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Donald Steuer met with our general managers and group finance directors to identify requirements and resources. Their input then was formed by the CFO and submitted to Walt Ekard, our chief administrative officer, who presented the budget to the Board of Supervisors.
Here's why it works.
Our County uses ongoing funds for ongoing expenditures and one-time funds for one-time expenses. We use a five-year financial forecast and a two-year operational plan to enforce fiscal discipline. The Board of Supervisors keeps a close tab on the budget through continuous budget reviews and quarterly financial reports.
The County does not defer maintenance. We have healthy reserves of more than $600 million. Our credit rating is the highest of any county in the State. We cooperate fully with independent auditors. We don't use funds earmarked for our retirement fund to balance the budget. We try to pay off our debts early whenever economically possible.
At a time when other municipalities are considering going "belly-up," the County of San Diego has not only weathered the financial storm that arrived two years ago, but we are giving greater service to our citizens.
No flash. No special effects?just sound, common sense business principles that work.
Our goal is to remain accessible and accountable to the citizens we serve and do it with courtesy and a smile. That's "business as usual."
By Supervisor Bill Horn
This past June, I joined my fellow supervisors to unanimously approve the County of San Diego's budget for fiscal year 2006. After several months of preparation by County departments and days of public testimony, it took us about 15 minutes to OK an on-time balanced budget of $4.14 billion.
Here's how we do it.
The annual budget process started last September with a review of our Strategic Plan. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Donald Steuer met with our general managers and group finance directors to identify requirements and resources. Their input then was formed by the CFO and submitted to Walt Ekard, our chief administrative officer, who presented the budget to the Board of Supervisors.
Here's why it works.
Our County uses ongoing funds for ongoing expenditures and one-time funds for one-time expenses. We use a five-year financial forecast and a two-year operational plan to enforce fiscal discipline. The Board of Supervisors keeps a close tab on the budget through continuous budget reviews and quarterly financial reports.
The County does not defer maintenance. We have healthy reserves of more than $600 million. Our credit rating is the highest of any county in the State. We cooperate fully with independent auditors. We don't use funds earmarked for our retirement fund to balance the budget. We try to pay off our debts early whenever economically possible.
At a time when other municipalities are considering going "belly-up," the County of San Diego has not only weathered the financial storm that arrived two years ago, but we are giving greater service to our citizens.
No flash. No special effects?just sound, common sense business principles that work.
Our goal is to remain accessible and accountable to the citizens we serve and do it with courtesy and a smile. That's "business as usual."