☆ The change is out there
A sacred cow roaming Tian Tan Buddah Square in Hong Kong. Cisca657, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opp Now's Cristabel Cruz takes a ramble among cities which have embraced a "Contract" model (greatly reducing local gov't size and cost). And likes what she finds. An Opp Now exclusive.
Escuchar amigas:
Here's a fact no media will even whisper during the ritual that is the California governor's race:
The State's governance model--which is driven by a manic adherence to an ever-expanding, ever-growing, ever-more expensive state government--is not some sacred cow.
It's not written into any Constitution.
And, in fact, for San Joseans and Californians --it's a failed practice.
Case in point: deficit-running cities like SJ claim victory when they come up with bogus, short-term solutions to budget shortfalls by trumpeting that: No city employee will be laid off.
Who's working for whom?
Especially, as Tobin Gilman points out, the City routinely burns millions on performative, redundant activities that have squat to do with Charter Priorities.
So as we march down the stretch run of the governor's race it's important to remember that: It's doesn't have to be this way.
In fact, there are many cities--even in California--that very successfully use a "contract" or outsourcing model to run their burghs--keeping:
costs down,
their focus limited,
free of getting buried by crushing pension requirements...
...and nimbly moving monies around to meet the urgent needs of the moment.
Good luck reading about these winning governance strategies in the Merc.
But from Southern California to Georgia, they're thriving, providing an inspired counterpoint to the Big Unresponsive Nanny State Model we seem married to in Silicon Valley and California.
Look around: The change is out there.
--Cristabel Cruz for the Opp Now team
This weekend's new stories:
The benefits of radical outsourcing
The City of Sandy Springs, GA pioneered the Public-Private Partnership model for service delivery in 2005, using a private sector partner to provide general city services.
Case study Lakewood, CA: Contract city trailblazer
Rather than owning and operating departments like police, fire, or public works, the city of Lakewood acts as a corporate board of directors. The city council buys specific services (e.g., law enforcement, road maintenance, street sweeping) à la carte through intergovernmental or vendor contracts.
Do contract cities subvert democracy?
Outsourcing cities may save money, but do they undermine public transparency and taxpayer control? Is it the realm of the bureaucrat? The Arias Journal explores.
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