Once again, John Musolf questions Oro Valley's expenditures. This time, John's analysis concerns the Police Department Reserve Officer Program.
The big question is: Will this Town Council consider all the valid issues John brings forth, or will they continue down the same road of frivolous spending?
Art
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Mayor and Council
Oro Valley has conducted past professional management studies of some of its departments such as Building Safety, Public Works, Legal, and Library to provide a detailed analysis of how the Town compares to established standards and benchmarks of operations.
Management studies are conducted with the intent of utilizing an experienced and independent third party to review current strategies and operations and make recommendations to improve efficiency and delivery of services.
Two management studies of the Police and Parks/Recreation Departments had been approved and scheduled to commence in the summer of 2010.
The new Oro Valley Mayor and Council decided to eliminate those studies.
The following analysis on the Police Reserve Program attempts to illustrate why any independent study (analysis) can question the effectiveness of any governmental program and gauge how critical and/or costly it might be to the community.
Please make this email part of the public record.
John Musolf
Oro Valley Resident
Police Department Reserve Officer Program
Purposes:
1. Enhance patrol staffing, reducing response times
· Reserve Officers answered 315 calls for service from August 2009 through January 2010
2. Reduce the amount of overtime associated with open shifts due to military leaves, extended FMLA illness, injury, or vacation
3. Manage the destruction, allocation, charitable donation or auction of property and evidence seizures
Doesn’t the 3rd purpose (Manage the destruction, allocation, charitable donation or auction of property and evidence seizures)
that is listed under the Reserve Officer program duplicate one of the purposes or functions of the Community Action Team (C.A.T.) program?
Listed under the functions of the Community Action Team program:
Recovered/Seized Property
· Electronics (e.g. computers)
· Firearms
· Vehicles
It appears that Recovered/Seized Property has great significance to the Police Department since both the Community Action Team and Reserve Officer Program (two groups) address this problem?
Isn’t this simply a clerical or auction function to dispose of Recovered/Seized Property from a crime and use the money for other police purposes (with the approval of the Pima County Attorney)?
Could the Recovered/Seized Property clerical or auction disposal function be outsourced instead of using police officers?
How much time did each reserve officer spend in 2009 on the management of the destruction, allocation, charitable donation or auction of property and evidence seizures?
How much time did each reserve officer spend in 2010 on the management of the destruction, allocation, charitable donation or auction of property and evidence seizures?
How much time did the Community Action Team spend in 2009 and 2010 on the management of the destruction, allocation, charitable donation or auction of property and evidence seizures?
The Reserve Officers are listed under Professional Development Program in 2009.
Professional Development Budget for 2009 included:
1 Safety and Risk Manager transferred to Human Resources
1 Officer transferred to another Police Department Program Area
1 Training Officer
2.85 Reserve Officers
How much overtime did the 2.85 reserve officers reduce in 2009 associated with open shifts due to military leaves, extended FMLA illness, injury, or vacation?
How much was the response time reduced for the calls made in 2009 by the presence of reserve officers?
The Reserve Officers are listed under Professional Development Program in 2010.
Professional Development Budget for 2010 included:
1 Training Officer
2.85 Reserve Officers
How much overtime did the 2.85 reserve officers reduce so far in 2010 associated with open shifts due to military leaves, extended FMLA illness, injury, or vacation?
How much was the response time reduced for the calls made in 2010 by the presence of reserve officers?
16 comments:
I very much appreciate reading John's thoughtful analyses. This being yet another example.
I wonder, though, why the Council should even consider what he posts? He has not been commissioned by Council to do these analyses. He is not on any Oro Valley volunteer committees.
If I do an analysis of something is the Council supposed to look at it?
No.
There is a process and a procedure for having your voice heard. You need to be part of something sanctioned by the town. Otherwise, you are simply a third party looking in.
It would be great for John to get on the inside! He has a lot to offer.
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Three points in response to the Zeeman's comment.
1) John in fact was asked and agreed to help with the OV Police Dep't budget during the previous administration.
2) John submitted his name for appointment for the vacant council seat but the council saw fit to appoint developer Steve Solomon to the position.
3) John Musolf would be a major asset to the town of Oro Valley, and I am hopeful he will see fit to be a candidate for council in the next election---whenever that is.
That John was ASKED to help with the OVPD budget during the previous administration's reign was a good thing because he was asked. This did not give him a 'green light' to go forth with picking apart the current budget and EXPECT that now he would be the Town's 'new consultant'. In fact, having a Staff which includes a PAID finance/budget department' would preclude John from getting a 'full' hearing on that which he dissects until such time as the Town deems it to be appropriate. Also, utilizing a continuous barrage of 'bullets' rather than a concise presentation at such time might be counterproductive because, to those who have the PAID responsibility, it might be overly irritating to be constantly 'pecked' at.
That John submitted his name for appointment to a vacant Council seat which fell in favor to Mr. Solomon is irrelevant.
The next election is in approximately 2 years and, if John sees fit and attains the necessary petition signatures, he has every right to make a run for it.
Zee Man states that " there is a process and a procedure for having your voice heard"; he is right!
John Musolf certainly does not need me as his spokesperson.
I will say this however. When John is available to attend council meetings, he does so with the utmost frequency and speaks on many financial issues. When he is not available, he offers his insight to the town via email, in which he graciously copies us for the benefit of our readers.
There are those that may see John as "confrontational." I see it as he being an asset.
Sure we have highly paid individuals responsible for OUR money. When John has the expertise to review the budget, and ALL the expenditures, and questions some items, he is doing it on behalf of us---the taxpayers of Oro Valley.
From my standpoint, it would behoove this council to take the time to review John's input, and who knows----it might even save us many thousands of dollars.
Let's not forget, the previous council saw fit to hire an outside management firm to study the police budget.
This council voted to eliminate that study.
Doesn't it seem prudent that under those circumstances, they would welcome John's suggestions?
Then again---probably not!
Zeeman
“There is a process and a procedure for having your voice heard. You need to be part of something sanctioned by the town. Otherwise, you are simply a third party looking in.”
Thanks for the insight! However, Zeeman, please identify the process and procedure that a citizen must follow in Oro Valley to express his “freedom of speech” rights guaranteed by the first amendment of the constitution of the United States. I don’t believe that the constitution specifies that I must be part of something sanctioned by a town government. If I wish, I can stand on a street corner speaking or a wear a billboard and walk around town presenting an opinion or point of view.
Zev Cywan
Thanks for your comments.
“Zee Man states that " there is a process and a procedure for having your voice heard"; he is right!”
Zev, perhaps you could ALSO clarify the proper process and procedure citizen must follow in Oro Valley to express his “freedom of speech” rights guaranteed by the first amendment of the constitution of the United States.
Zev, In response to your statement: “This did not give him (Musolf) a 'green light' to go forth with picking apart the current budget and EXPECT that now he would be the Town's 'new consultant'. In fact, having a Staff which includes a PAID finance/budget department' would preclude John from getting a 'full' hearing on that which he dissects until such time as the Town deems it to be appropriate. Also, utilizing a continuous barrage of 'bullets' rather than a concise presentation at such time might be counterproductive because, to those who have the PAID responsibility, it might be overly irritating to be constantly 'pecked' at.”
I have used the Request for Information to the Town Clerk many times to obtain information. The Request for Information provides a citizen with existing documentation. It does not provide the underlying reason or justification behind an expenditure.
In theory, that is why we have public town meetings to discuss these thoughts. In the Call to Audience (which may or may not be allowed at the discretion of the Mayor) a citizen can express concerns (that I have used many times). However, the time limit of 3 minutes to express a citizen’s concerns usually leaves only enough time for a small “sound bite”.
Zev, I do not EXPECT that I will be the “Town’s new consultant” on anything.
We had a Past President of the United States (Ronald Reagan) that was often quoted as saying “Trust, but verify”.
Since I am one of the citizens whose taxes are used to hire a the PAID town staff for Finance and Budgeting purposes, I thought it gave me a right to verify (critique) any actions contemplated or taken by the existing or prior Town Mayor/Council or PAID staff. I will continue to do so.
John Musolf
AZ Moose said:
"If I wish, I can stand on a street corner speaking or a wear a billboard and walk around town presenting an opinion or point of view."
Moose, I hope you check out the famous OV Sign Code before you don your billboard.
NW
Hello Moose...
No discouragement intended by my comment.
My statement that there is a process is simply that one needs to be inside an organization in order to effect change. Otherwise, the individual is perceived as someone who simply wants to "throw bombs."
So, for example, the process could be:
1. For you to be elected as one of our town officials; or
2. Be retained by the town as a consultant; or
3. Become a member of one of the town's volunteer boards (Finance and Budget Committee?); or
4. Speak some of your most potent analyses at each council meeting in the Call To The Audience Segment; or
5. "Get the ear" of one of our council members.
Otherwise, your very thoughtful analyses will not be listened to by the Town since the ideas have no voice.
I'm not saying that you should stop what you are doing. What I am saying is the you need to find a way to get it heard by the Town.
Publishing you work here on LOVE is welcomed. However, I don't know if anyone in a position in the Town of Oro Valley to actually do something is reading us with an open mind.
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John, as someone who respects your intricate and dedicated analysis, I concur with Zee Man that [you have to find a way to get your proffers 'accepted']. Right now, with your 'untied' presentations, you might be considered as being pesky by those whose job it is to simply put forth a reasonably understandable budget based on the wants and needs and the ability to satisfy such. We can analyze 'til the 'end of time' but as long as 'they' can 'find' the money to satisfy the needs AND wants, then everything becomes subjective.
My wife was the budget coordinator for the County of Wake in North Carolina; certain expenditures were considered to be the 'tricks of the trade' and, of course, a lot of questionable 'causes' received benefits.
Now, on the other hand, I was a member of the Wake County Taxpayers Association which was dedicated to sponsoring and electing candidates who were fiscally conservative; it was a COLLECTIVE effort and it worked. What I am telling you here, John, is that there is strength in numbers when and only when they might be organized into a unified and purposeful body. When you stand alone in the midst of another mindset, you cannot be heard!
Oh, and by the way, John, though you perhaps you have the absolute right to verify and/or critique please understand that 'they' have the right to ignore you if that is the path and risk they choose to take. I am a very strong advocate for public participation, but one MUST find a mutually amenable way for inclusion even though the 'pecking order' might appear to make it difficult to do so.
I see John as the "Paul Revere" of this town, and the more John analyzes the money spent by our town, the more ordinary folks are waiting for responses to these questions. He has awaken the residents of this town to the callous disregard the town has for it's citizens. While I won't go as far as "Taxation without Representation", I will say you can run but you can't hide. Please answer his questons!
Just left a get together by some twenty-five ordinary folks of this tight knit community, and mentioned some of the spending by OV, and wow are people shocked by the disregard our town has for us by not accounting for this spending in this economy.
Keep up the good work John, and even though the town isn't listening, the word of your good work is spreading throughout the community.
Fear, where are these folks when the Town Council meetings are held? Where are these folks when the 'study sessions' are held? Have these folks corresponded with their representatives? Are they involved in any of the volunteer groups which are available to them? Why are they so "shocked" by it all when they attend a group function but return to their 'hidey-holes' after the party's over? Evidently they haven't been paying attention; do they now want to and will they?
Zev,
John's analyses are something most of these people weren't aware of, but now they are so only time will tell how involved they get.
In the past these people have volunteered, and attended meetings but some have had to go back to work (when they find jobs), and just don't have the time. Their idea of a dream retirement evaporated in this economy.
They are upset about the town spending their hard earned money without being held accountable. This situation can be resolved by the town simply responding to John's questions.
ZEV
You have presented some excellent comments:
ZEV QUOTE: “Now, on the other hand, I was a member of the Wake County Taxpayers Association which was dedicated to sponsoring and electing candidates who were fiscally conservative; it was a COLLECTIVE effort and it worked. What I am telling you here, John, is that there is strength in numbers when and only when they might be organized into a unified and purposeful body. When you stand alone in the midst of another mindset, you cannot be heard!”
Zev, you are absolutely correct that there is strength in numbers when and only when they might be organized into a unified and purposeful body. Where I differ slightly is that one of the beautiful things I believe about our democracy is that we have the right to be heard as an INDIVIDUAL (good, bad, or naïve). Although our American Democracy was eventually formulated as a COLLECTIVE approach, there were many that thought the individual “rants and ravings” of a few colonists would never amount to a “hill of beans”. I guess I still believe in the individual right to express an opinion with or without a COLLECTIVE at the beginning.
ZEV QUOTE: “Oh, and by the way, John, though you perhaps you have the absolute right to verify and/or critique please understand that 'they' have the right to ignore you if that is the path and risk they choose to take. I am a very strong advocate for public participation, but one MUST find a mutually amenable way for inclusion even though the 'pecking order' might appear to make it difficult to do so.”
Zev, as I said in a prior posting: “I don’t believe that the constitution specifies that I must be part of something sanctioned by a town government. If I wish, I can stand on a street corner speaking or wear a billboard and walk around town presenting an opinion or point of view.” You are correct that one MUST eventually find a mutually amenable way for inclusion. It does not require that I MUST start that way.
Gosh, everyone has the right (including ‘they’) to ignore any of my questions or suggestions.
Just, one additional comment I would like to add:
I have spent considerable time and effort on the analyses that I have proffered. No one has commented on the context or validity of the content of my questions. That is disappointing!
John Musolf
ZEEMAN
Thanks for your comments, especially the suggested process to be followed for my thoughts to be heard.
Be retained by the town as a consultant
Fat chance! The Mayor, Council, and Town Staff are aware that I would volunteer anytime - UNPAID.
As Zev Cywan pointed out in a prior posting “That John was ASKED to help with the OVPD budget during the previous administration's reign was a good thing because he was asked. This did not give him a 'green light' to go forth with picking apart the current budget and EXPECT that now he would be the Town's 'new consultant'. As Zev Cywan pointed out we have PAID workers to perform the budgetary tasks. Perhaps, the Town might change their mind.
Become a member of one of the town's volunteer boards (Finance and Budget Committee?)
I attended many of the town’s Finance and Budget Committee meetings for over a year. About 99 % of the Committee’s suggestions to the Mayor and Council were effectively ignored. It discouraged me! However, it would give me a COLLECTIVE approach to petition the Town? I might reconsider.
"Get the ear" of one of our council members.
At various times I have had the “ear” of former council members K.C. Carter, Salette Latas, Pat Spoerl and current members Barry Gillaspie and Bill Garner on a variety of issues. I will continue to bend their ears as I have done with my emails and phone calls in the past.
Speak some of your most potent analyses at each council meeting in the Call To The Audience Segment.
In the Call to Audience (which may or may not be allowed at the discretion of the Mayor) a citizen can express concerns (that I have used many times). However, the time limit of 3 minutes to express a citizen’s concerns usually leaves only enough time for a small “sound bite”. Over the last 5 years I have spoken many times at the Call to Audience and will continue to do so.
For you to be elected as one of our town officials.
If the Good Lord is willing, I plan to run for council at the first opportunity. I am assured of one vote and perhaps two if I can convince my wife that I would make a good politician (possibly an oxymoron).
John Musolf
John, understand that I KNOW and BLESS that you have the right to speak as a single 'entity'; in the recognition of such we do not differ. It is getting 'heard' PROPERLY, right or wrong, that can be most elusive; there is simply much more power in 'group think' and advocacy.
Mr. Moose....
Thanks for your feedback on my ideas. I appreciate it.
My objective is to publicly encourage you to "find that voice."
So....
I am pleased to hear that you intend to run for Council. As you know, there are three Seats up the next time around. Bill, Barry and Steve (The Appointed One). You will get more than two votes!!!
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