Bill's latest op-ed on why Philadelphia needs to change the way it budgets tax dollars in order to maximize value for our citizens:

...Today the budget is framed as, "What is the increase or decrease compared with last year?" not "What results do we want? What is the best and most cost-effective way to achieve them? How are we tracking the results of our investment?"

 

Until we know the cost and effectiveness of what we do, we'll continue making incremental changes to department budgets year over year - upward, more often than not - without sufficiently understanding the value received for the money.

 

We must reform the budget process so that it focuses on outputs, not just inputs. I have proposed legislation that would require the city to detail the true cost of each function funded with tax dollars, to set performance goals, and to report annually on how well goals are met. The legislation would require cost-benefit analysis for all capital projects. It would compel the city to annually submit a five-year strategic plan outlining how it would use technology to improve performance goals and reduce the cost of government...

 

Read more here.