I'm not sure that it would save much, if any, money. There are, however, some studies of what size groups are most effective. According to these studies our council is to big to be most effective.
These studies would suggest that the most effective Council size would have a single digit number of members, probably 7 or 9. If the ward "offices" didn't change in size the salary and benefits savings would probably be about $150,000 per eliminated ward. Other cities are all over the map when it comes to size of their councils so you can make comparisions to justify virtually any number you want. At one time Minneapolis had 26 aldermen, 2 from each of 13 wards. If we're going to look at governing body size, we should include the number of governing bodies. In addition to the council, do we need a Library Board, a Park Board and a Board of Estimate and Taxation? Terrell Brown Loring Park --- Jim Bernstein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have heard quite a few people suggest that the size of the > Minneapolis > city council be trimmed from 13 to a smaller number. > > The usual justifications are that a smaller city council would "save > money" (mostly from council member and aide salary and benefits)or > make > government more "streamlined" (fewer members equals less squabbling > and > debating with speedier resolution of issues) or "less parochial" > (larger, more diverse districts in theory) or "more accountable" (no > longer would 13 members share the responsibility, the buck would stop > on > fewer desks). > > None of these justifications has ever been particularly compelling to > me > but perhaps there are others! Mr. Graetz suggests "several > advantages > better left to another conversation" so I am proposing to start that > conversation - what do you think are the advantages of a smaller city > council and, how would a smaller city council lead to a better/more > effective/ city council process? > > Jim Bernstein > Fulton REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
