City relaunches budget advisory committee
Mayor Gene Reid and the Newcastle city council recently relaunched a committee to aid in the financial success and growth of Newcastle.
The Long-Term Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC) consists of Keith Cleghorn, Tiffany Elcyzyn, Thaja Giles, Jeannette McNally, Jerry Petty, Carl Rose and Kevin Self.
“I asked members of our community who I wanted to be involved in our city and who, at various times, indicated their willingness to serve. I appointed these with the support of the council. These individuals are to be commended for their contributions. I hope others in our community will follow the example of these and other board and committee members who serve,” Reid said.
The Long-Term Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC) is responsible for planning and projecting budgetary related items that each department has a need for over a five-year period. The LPAC will analyze and strategize these needs and layout over a five-year projection how the city council and city staff should posture for these departments’ needs in their yearly fiscal budget.
Moving forward, these individuals will stay together as a group for annual review and updates for future financial planning. It should therefore be in Evergreen, ongoing five-year planning process. As some of these individuals may need to move off the committee we will be looking to others who can follow in their role, “ said Reid.
The needs and wants of each department could be deemed critical and immediate or they could also be categorized as not immediately critical but imminent over the course of the next five years.
“ As a committee, we were given a chance to meet with the heads of each department and listen to how they saw the city’s growth and development affecting their roles within the city. From there, we discussed and evaluated how that would affect their functionality over time. It was extremely insightful and fascinating to dive deep into the overall operations for each department. These departments are the very backbone of our city. Without them collectively, the City of Newcastle would not be able to successfully maneuver through the day to day. Knowing the amount of growth and development that is ensuing in the City of Newcastle, it is absolutely imperative that the council and staff pay close attention to what is to come and properly plan for this growth, “ LPAC chairperson Tiffany Elcyzyn said.