Bob:

We've never done interview questions here that I know of.  However, I 
usually make time to talk to budget committee wannabes when they submit 
their applications, and I normally get to share what I found (and what I 
think) with some or all members of Council on a one-on-one basis before the 
guy or gal's appointment comes up at a meeting.

And I am after some qualifications.  I've made no secret of my desire to 
"stack" the budget cte. with "civilians" who have got more than the average 
share of financial smarts and expertise (while simultaneously noting that I 
have no authority whatsoever over who gets appointed).  I want people with 
accounting backgrounds, and/or experience running their own businesses, 
and/or work on public agency budget committees (not necessarily this 
one)--and I have been lucky at getting what I want.  Of our current crop of 
"civilians," the only one who doesn't have one or more of that mix of 
background is a college student, taking city manager classes at Eastern 
Oregon State--who is currently going through the fund accounting courses, 
so she's getting the book-learning that'll interface with everybody else's 
real-life experiences.

And I have managed to pull this off nearly everywhere I've worked, so it's 
not specific to Union's reputation as a hyper-volunteer community.  I think 
it's just necessary to ask.  I've just told everybody that I want more (and 
better) financial brains working on the budget than just me, and it seems 
to work.

Joe

At 09:08 AM 11/21/05, you wrote:
>Does anyone have a list of interview questions for Budget Committee 
>Candidates?  Thanks.
>Bob Francis
>City Manager
>City of Hood River
>
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