John, I finally got so frustrated with Councilpeople complaining about 
administrative overhead that I wrote a budget (it was "Version L"--we've 
gone through 15 wholesale revisions this season) that didn't have me in 
it.  I have one Councilmember still upset that the others didn't pass that one.

I have always relied on the old formula from private business that 
administrative overhead shouldn't exceed 25% of the budget.  I have 
operated on the premise that the Administrative Dept. exists primarily as a 
service center for our utility "companies"--water, sewer, streets, and 
ambulance, so that's what I take 25% of.  This fiscal year, we're running 
at a little under 20%.  Hasn't stopped people from complaining, however.

Oh, and Union has only 1,960 people according to PSU.

Union Joe

At 09:02 AM 6/26/06, you wrote:
>The first question of the week, aimed at cities of 10K to 25 K population, 
>is:  Approximately what percentage of your General Fund budget, and/or 
>total City budget, does your Administrative function represent?  And, 
>roughly speaking, what does the Administrative function entail?  That is, 
>does it include HR, City Attorney? Direct City Council costs, etc.?  Or is 
>it more limited to the City Manager office alone and his/her direct support?
>
>This question is triggered by the oft repeated charge, by one of our 
>councilors, that Lebanon's "administrative costs are too high."  Now, I 
>know he figures the city should be saving at least my salary, but I wasn't 
>sure if otherwise we are roughly "on target" with these costs?
>
>John Hitt
>City of Lebanon
>
>---
>You are currently subscribed to occma as: admin@cityofunion.com.
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-occma-537U@list.orcities.org