By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-949457.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lexington mayor Jim Gray is getting some outside help in balancing the city's budget. Six people: two University of Kentucky professors; an Eastern Kentucky University administrator; a former Urban County Council member; the President of the United Way of the Bluegrass; and a former budget director at the state level make up the Lexington finance advisory group.
Mayor Jim Gray announced the team Monday, as the city faces an $11-16 million budget shortfall.
"We can sometimes become really insulated in our own pool," said Gray. "I sometimes say that the last thing a fish can describe is water. We need to get outside our silos and we need to ask other people for ideas."
Geoff Reed, the mayor's senior policy adviser, and Finance Commissioner Jane Driskell will also be part of the group.
"We are going to start our budget, zero-based budgeting, looking at every expenditure, looking at really what core services do we need to provide as this government and what costs are associated with those. And evaluate the other things that have been added on top over the years. And not necessarily cut them, but just to understand what those are," said Driskell.
Driskell says the advisory panel will begin meeting immediately to coincide with budget discussions within the Urban County Council.
Group members:
- In his career with the state, John Cubine advised governors and legislators on budgeting and served in the state auditor's office and attorney general's office. He directed the Legislative Office of Budget Review and is the former Budget Director of what was then the Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources.
- Bill Farmer is President of the United Way of the Bluegrass. In addition, since 2008, Farmer has served as President and CEO of The Farmer Group, a consulting firm assisting business and nonprofit organizations in issues associated with public and social policy.
- Mary Fister is the former Director of the Division of Accounting for the city, and currently Director of Fiscal Effectiveness at Eastern Kentucky University.
- Chris Frost is an attorney and member of the faculty of the UK Law School. Frost headed the transition for the Gray administration.
- Merl Hackbart is a University of Kentucky faculty member in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Hackbart has advised governors, mayors and legislators on public finance and economic forecasting. He is a former Director of the Kentucky State Budget Office.
- David Stevens is a former member of the Urban County Council. Dr. Stevens was a member of the Charter Commission, which wrote the Charter setting up the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In his 16 years on Council, Dr. Stevens chaired and served as a member of the Budget and Finance Committee.