So let's say you have $3k in funds that have not been tapped for any projects or budget items. What would you do in your department with them? Extra software? More mapping racks? A great new printer? Increased server size? Anything specific?
So let's say you have $3k in funds that have not been tapped for any projects or budget items. What would you do in your department with them? Extra software? More mapping racks? A great new printer? Increased server size? Anything specific?
A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams
Hookers and blow?
But seriously, a quality color printer would be nice. Either that or some new chairs for everybody.
"When life gives you lemons, just say 'No thanks'." - Henry Rollins
Conference. ROAD TRIP!
Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell. -- Edward Abbey
agree with this oneOriginally posted by Dan
Conference. ROAD TRIP!
Conference. ROAD TRIP!Third in agreement.
Oddball
Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?
Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
From Kelly's Heroes (1970)
Are you sure you're not hurt ?
No. Just some parts wake up faster than others.
Broke parts take a little longer, though.
From Electric Horseman (1979)
Yeah. fourthed.
Alternatively if that and rygors suggestion don't work out, file cabinets. Thats what I need. Lots of file cabinets.
Children in the back seat can cause accidents - and vice versa.
professional development
staff morale purchases
new office chairs
Odd that I would say office chairs, but I have yet to work in a planning office with ergonomically correct workstations. Also, getting stuff like that does help morale, and I don't know of many places that haven't suffered morale issues from layoffs, budget cuts, furlows, etc.
"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."
- Herman Göring at the Nuremburg trials (thoughts on democracy)
Buy a box of every color and point size of Sharpies.
Oddball
Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves?
Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here?
Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
From Kelly's Heroes (1970)
Are you sure you're not hurt ?
No. Just some parts wake up faster than others.
Broke parts take a little longer, though.
From Electric Horseman (1979)
I have to agree with Suburb Repairman about the chairs. I just dropped a little cash on decent pens for myself at work because I cannot stand the cheap Bics that I am provided at work. I am considering buying myself a nice office chair too. If your coworkers spend 8 to 9 hours per day in a chair that isn't comfy, they will probably greatly appreciate taking them chair shopping. Let everyone pick out their own. That would rock in my little world.
Sure it is geeky, but everyone's back and neck will appreciate it!
Might I humbly suggest hiring the services of a consultant....
Anyone want to adopt a dog?
The "powers that be" would laugh at me and just put it in the fund balance to spend on nothing. Yeah, tax people and then don't spend their money.
"I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany"
LIfetime membership in Cyburbia?
“Death comes when memories of the past exceed the vision for the future.”
I would initially say don't spend it, especially on anything frivolous. This is the tax payers' money not some lotto winnings.
Congrats on saving $3K this year, however I would stress "planning", since we are planners, on what your needs will be next year, or the year after, and cover those; whether it be new monitors, supplies, chairs, filling cabinets, etc. Then you can ask for less money in 2011/2012 budget thereby looking like a champ to the city/county execs.
Filing cabinets? Whatever happened to the paperless office? Force developers to submit 11"x17" drawings instead of 24"x36", and you've got your space.
I do like the idea of improved office furnishings. Many planning offices are rife with unmatched chairs in the conference room, the one chair that always sinks and/or makes fart-like sounds when you sit in it, and so on.
Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell. -- Edward Abbey
I concur with conference roadtrip, but in reality what would happen here is the CM would take it back and pay off some debt with it. There is no such thing as surplus in our budgets (even in the good years).
"Whatever beer I'm drinking, is better than the one I'm not." DMLW
Yes, and because you had $3K leftover at the end of the year, your budget for the next year would be $3K less (not including other cuts), since you've demonstrated that you don't need all your requested funding.
True that!Yes, and because you had $3K leftover at the end of the year, your budget for the next year would be $3K less (not including other cuts), since you've demonstrated that you don't need all your requested funding.
"Whatever beer I'm drinking, is better than the one I'm not." DMLW
And such is the large problem with 99% of local governments in this country, their budgeting process is antiquated and promotes waste.Yes, and because you had $3K leftover at the end of the year, your budget for the next year would be $3K less (not including other cuts), since you've demonstrated that you don't need all your requested funding.
How would you fix this? The problem is that it doesnt really matter what people are paying in taxes, its always "too much".
Children in the back seat can cause accidents - and vice versa.
One of the reasons I love the 'burb, this is considered a serious option. The office furnature is a good idea. Another is replacing/upgrading the oldest computers.Hookers and blow?.
As for the budgeting discussion that has been an undercurrent here. Yes, there is the use it or lose it part of every budget. It's the nature of the beast. There are other types of budgets, performance based, project based, zero line, etc. However, most places use the traditional method of use it or lose it. My budgeting and finance prof would be happy to see I actually stayed awake in his class.
When did I go from Luke Skywalker to Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Define "wet lands" "tidal wet lands" "vernal pools"
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