“Fiscal Responsibility Pottstown”
Some may call that an oxymoron, but as wishful thinking, it has a nice ring to it.
The phrase was coined by Borough Council Vice President Greg Berry, who also serves as chairman of the council finance committee.
In an e-mail to borough staff and council, Berry wrote “We have Wireless Pottstown, Bike Pottstown and talk of Kayak Pottstown — now we have Fiscal Responsibility Pottstown.”
Berry said his “new initiative” has several goals.
“I want to clearly represent how tax dollars are being spent in the borough; to increase efficiency and production; to provide cost savings and to look at items that can be put out to bid, or (request for proposals),” Berry said at the May 7 council work session.
According to his e-mail, Berry also wants the initiative to “develop a long-term financial plan and look to available programs or organizations that can assist us with this” and to “work with the grants team to explore grant possibilities.”
An observer unfamiliar with the borough may think that Berry’s “new” initiative goals are the equivalent of a job description for a municipality. But, in Pottstown, the emphasis has slipped away from that description.
“It is no secret that over the past two and a half years, I have been highly critical of the financial situation of the borough and, in my opinion, the lack of efficiency that has plagued borough hall,” Berry continued in his e-mail.
“While certain areas have improved since I was elected to council two-plus years ago, such as the way financial data is presented, there is still significant room for improvement.
“It is my opinion that someone needs to take a bold leadership role to point out, recognize and work to resolve, the financial issues Pottstown faces while also properly planning for the future financial requirements of the borough,” Berry wrote.
“... With the cooperation of staff, council and my fellow finance sub-committee members, I look forward to bringing Fiscal Responsibility to Pottstown,” wrote Berry.
The initiative, as Berry noted, is an attempt to get hold of a lingering problem — and the negative reputation that goes along — and turn it around.
We applaud this initiative as a leadership move that is long overdue.
