New Rochelle to Appoint Citizens Committee to Help Shape Budget Discussion

A citizens committee will be formed to advise the City Council on ways it can delivery services and find alternate revenue sources for 2013.

Mayor Noam Bramson, at a recent meeting, proposed the formation of the panel of 18 members. The council is scheduled to vote on legislation authorizing the committee at its meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

"It is time for a fresh look at the fundamentals of local government," Mayor Noam Bramson. "This publicly inclusive process will help set a long-term foundation for fiscal stability in an era of limits, while better advancing the priorities and expectations of the people of our community."

The committee will be comprised of three members from the council—the mayor, along with one Democratic member and one Republican member—six voted on by the council as a whole, three appointed by the mayor and one appointed by each of the six council members.

Bramson said the committee should expect to meet for the next six months reviewing all facets of the city's operations and determining "sustainable levels of and optimal delivery methods of municipal serves and investments, community priorities," all within the context of diminishing revenue. The idea of a committee was a result of the recent 2012 budget discussions.

The final report prepared by the committee, Bramson said, should include, but not be limited to a description of variable services levels and the probable cost benefits and impacts associated with them, analyses of the feasibilities and merits of alternative delivery methods and revenue sources and recommendations for better aligning municipal services and generation of revenue.

"I think this can be a really healthy discussion," Bramson said, "a good capable committee of people who represent a diversity of views who will work constructively with each other and city staff."

Those interested in serving should submit a resume to the City Clerk by Tuesday for the at-large appointment or to their council representative prior to the Jan. 24 district appointment deadline.