REAL Exclusive Magazine

Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group Newsletter #13.

Becoming a “Contract City”.

Prepared by the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group

It is important for residents to understand how becoming a professionally managed “contract city” would help Lakewood Ranch avoid many of the pitfalls plaguing older cities today.  Professionally managed cities now use outsourcing to reduce both the short term and the long term cost of government.

• The Council/Manager form of government recommended in our proposed city charter has been chosen by 25 of the last 25 cities to incorporate in Florida.  An elected city council sets policy and a professional city manager implements the policies and manages the day-to-day operations of the city.

• The biggest financial challenges that many cities face today can be traced to inflexible employee contracts, benefit packages and pensions.

• The City of Lakewood Ranch would not undertake such burdens but would provide municipal services with tightly drawn, professionally managed contracts for service.

• Lakewood, Colorado; Sandy Springs, Georgia; and Weston, Florida are models of the new era of municipal government where cities utilize contract services to provide most municipal functions.  Here is a link to a very informative video showing the success of the contract city of Sandy Springs, Georgia:  Sandy Springs, GA.

• Weston, with 9 employees for a population of 65,000, has the lowest tax rate of any city in Broward County and has built up $100 million in reserves in just 15 years.

• The City of Lakewood Ranch would continue the present law enforcement service from the Manatee County Sheriff, continue with the present fire service from the East Manatee County Fire District, and continue the present resident contract service for solid waste and water and sewer service. These services are already paid by taxes and fees and incur no new cost to the  city.

• Services for public works, engineering, finance, legal, data processing, planning, code enforcement, recreation and public information would be contracted out.

• Empirical studies show that the most effective implementation of contract cities occurs where there are no existing employees subject to civil service and union contracts. Lakewood Ranch is ideally suited to take advantage of these proven best practices.

The City of Lakewood Ranch would not be loaded with patronage hiring and “get-along” employees. It would be a city operated in a manner to provide effective professional services delivered at a reasonable, competitive cost.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED

Forward this email to your friends and neighbors within LWR to ensure they are informed.

If your neighborhood or group has not yet attended a charter draft presentation meeting, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com. We will be happy to arrange a presentation.

If you are interested in joining the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com

If you want more detailed information on the pros and cons of incorporation, the incorporation process, FAQs, the charter, etc. visit our website at www.lwrdv.com/incorp.

IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THIS EMAIL DIRECTLY FROM US AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ON OUR EMAIL LIST, PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com.
 
Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group
www.lwrincorporation.com

Posted as  a public service announcement by REAL Magazine. REAL Magazine takes no position on the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.