Information or
advocacy—is there a difference? April
2008
As the city manager of a small community (population of
4,300) facing the prospects of a $124,000 shortfall in property tax revenues if
the voters statewide approve the tax referendum Save Our Homes cap of 3 percent
assessment increases, you are distressed about what the impact will be on the
quality of life for residents. You know that it will be necessary to cut
services severely which will surely lower the quality of life in
You consider the following options:
1. Call for a town hall meeting and forcefully present the case against the referendum
2. Put pro/con information about the referendum in the residents’ utility bills.
3. Post flyers around town at such places as city hall and the utilities department drawing attention to the service cuts.
4. Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
You decide to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. What should the letter say? Vote “no” on amendment 10? Describe the cuts in services that will follow? As an appointed city official, is it your job to advocate against the amendment? Do city managers have the duty to voice what they believe is in the best interests of the community? Is there a bright line between providing information and advocating a policy preference, even if you feel it is the right thing to do?
What would you do if you were the city manager of
Based on a real case: See “Lake Alfred Manager Works Against Higher Property Tax Exemption” at http://www.theledger.com/article/20080109/NEWS/801090359/1244/last14days accessed 10 January 2008.