Public Engagement That Produces Better Decisions
Successful communities are not built through isolated decision-making by a select few.
They are built through a culture of public participation that is informed, comprehensive, consistent, and given meaningful consideration for decision making and policies to guide our future.
In Danville, residents have previously shown an interest in how their city operates and a willingness to be involved. That involvement should be supported with clear information, accessible opportunities to participate, and a process that reflects the value of public input. As elected officials we owe that to the community, and you as the citizens and taxpayers deserve to expect that of us.
Effective public engagement is more than attendance at meetings. It requires ongoing listening, preparation, communication, and a structure that allows residents to understand the issues being considered, as well as, the positive and negative implications of those decisions, including long-term costs.
When information is presented clearly and in advance, residents are able to contribute in a meaningful way. When meetings are held in different parts of the community and supported by available technology, participation becomes more accessible. When input is considered as part of the decision-making process, the result is stronger and more informed outcomes.
This approach benefits all parties and most importantly the public as a whole. An informed public leads to more productive dialogue. A broader range of ideas and input leads to more complete consideration of issues. Decisions made in that environment carry greater understanding and greater support going into the future.
Public engagement utilizing data and technology already within City use has the potential to ask what the voters and taxpayers believe are the priorities and in what order they should be in. Effective engagement should be viewed as a minimum standard for partners in governance, not an additional step. It requires a commitment to transparency in how information is shared, how discussions are conducted, and how decisions are ultimately made. It also requires a willingness to engage directly with residents, even when the issues under consideration are complex or challenging. The development of good public policy takes time and significant effort.
Danville has the opportunity to strengthen this process by implementing professional standards detailing our minimum expectations for engagement and ensuring that they are consistent with “best practices” for communication and engagement of Municipal Governments. This commitment and the resulting process will reflect the importance of public participation.
The goal is not simply to gather input. It is also to ensure that accurate data is provided and analyzed in an objective manner by appropriate parties. When done well, the process of governing reflects the same priorities and desires of the community it serves. That is how better decisions are made, and that is how community trust can be built and maintained over time.
Examples of better transparency for City matters include items like better details on the City bill:
1. Separating the Police Pension Fee Cost from the Fire Pension Fee cost and list them separately, not as a combined “Safety Fee”
2. Separating the Stormwater charges from the Sanitary Sewer charges on the same bill.
These fees as currently charged are not consistent with “best practices” and my administration will correct these deficiencies. Why would a Mayor and City Council not want you to know the specific amounts with an explanation for the differences between those fee amounts. Citizens and taxpayers deserve full transparency!!
During my tenure, City Council meetings will encourage public participation and attendance by treating speakers and attendees with professionalism and consideration. I will respect those making the effort to attend while permitting them an opportunity to finish what they came to say. Elected officials should not attempt to stifle public dialogue because attempting to do so contributes to suspicion & distrust of government.
There will be no gavel drop at exactly 3 MINUTES for anyone seeking to address their elected leaders.
I will also establish ongoing “Working Groups” made up of community stakeholders with an intended mission as task forces to focus on addressing large-scale community challenges in specific areas such as Business recruitment/retention, Neighborhoods & Housing, Youth Needs, Real Estate development, Community Consolidation, and other priorities.
Doug Ahrens
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