Running City Hall Right

All of them say what gets done, how, and when, with a label saying who has to agree and, where it applies, something countable you can hold me to.

1. 7.1

   You'll Know Before and After

   What's on the agenda, posted ahead of the meeting. And a plain-language recap afterward: what came up, how I voted, why. Before and after, every time, so you never find out about a decision once it's already made. That includes the budget work sessions, where the real decisions happen before the vote: I'll be there and report what's under discussion while it can still change.

   Hold me to this

   Every meeting, within 48 hours. No exceptions.

   First 90 daysI can do this alone

2. 7.2

   Posted Hours You Can Find Me

   Set times, same place, published. Not 'call me sometime.'

   Hold me to this

   Operating within 30 days.

   First 90 daysI can do this alone

3. 7.3

   Get the Audits Caught Up, and Keep Them on Time

   Two things stand in front of most of the state's money. The state has to have our audits, and the state has to list us as a Qualified Local Government. Under Georgia law, a city that's behind on its audits can't receive state grants until it catches up. First, find out where every year's audit stands, what is holding up any that aren't done, and a date for each one. If any year is behind, bring council a catch-up plan with dates, and the cost of outside help if old records need rebuilding. After that, the audit goes to the state on time every year, and residents can see that it did.

   What it unlocks

   Every grant in this plan. A city that can't apply doesn't lose grants. It never gets counted.

   Hold me to this

   Audit and QLG status reported publicly within 30 days. A catch-up plan before council within six months if any year is open. Every filing date reported publicly.

   First 90 daysI can do this alone

4. 7.4

   Build a Grant Pipeline

   Identify every state and federal program Ashburn is eligible for, what each requires, and when deadlines fall. Publish the list. And understand we are competing — Tifton, Cordele, and Fitzgerald are applying for the same programs every cycle.

   What it unlocks

   A filing calendar instead of finding out about deadlines after they pass.

   Hold me to this

   List published within 120 days. At least four applications filed in year one.

   First yearI can do this alone

5. 7.5

   Show up to the Regional Commission

   The Southern Georgia Regional Commission provides planning support, technical assistance, and help accessing grants — to the governments that participate. Turner County's own comprehensive plan runs through SGRC. Ashburn should have somebody in that room every time. I'll go, and report back what I learn.

   Hold me to this

   Attend every meeting and report back publicly. Ask the city to name a consistent representative.

   First 90 daysI can do this alone

6. 7.6

   Where the City's Money Goes, in Plain English

   Read the most recent audited financials and the current budget line by line, and publish one plain page that answers what most people want to know. Where does the money come from, and where does it go? What does the city owe, and when is it due? Is there a rainy-day fund, and what's in it? Do water, sewer, propane, and garbage bring in more than they cost, and is any extra being used to cover the rest of the budget? Then do it again every year, in plain English, while the next budget is being built. And every three months, ask for a report on the council agenda comparing the real money to the budget: what came in, what went out, and where it's running over, while there's still time to fix it.

   What it unlocks

   A short list of specific savings to argue for, and a public that knows what's actually possible.

   Hold me to this

   First summary published within 90 days. A new one every budget cycle. An actual-to-budget report requested for the council agenda every quarter.

   First 90 daysI can do this alone

7. 7.7

   A Technology Audit

   What systems the city runs on, what they cost, what breaks, and how residents access records, agendas, permits, and payments. Then fix first whatever costs residents and staff the most time.

   What it unlocks

   A prioritized upgrade list with costs, so modernization becomes a budget line instead of a complaint.

   Hold me to this

   Audit and upgrade list to council by the end of year two.

   Years 2–4Needs a council vote

8. 7.8

   Strong Leaders and Staff at City Hall

   A town our size runs on a handful of key people: the city manager, the finance director, public works, and the police and fire chiefs. When one of those jobs opens, fill it through an open search for the most qualified person, with a clear job description and pay that can compete with Tifton and Cordele. Council sets clear yearly goals for the city manager, tied to the work in this plan, and reviews them in writing every year. And put a real line in the budget for training and certification, so good people grow here, stay here, and the next leaders come from inside.

   What it unlocks

   A City Hall that can carry out this plan, and keep carrying it out after any one person leaves.

   Hold me to this

   Yearly goals and a written review for the city manager in place in the first year. An open search for every top job that opens. A training line proposed in every budget until it exists.

   First yearNeeds a council vote

9. 7.9

   Ask the State How it Can Help

   The Department of Community Affairs runs most of the programs a town like ours depends on. Put Ashburn on one page: how many of us rent and how many own, how many live in poverty, what's closed and what's sitting empty, and how the state housing and development grants we've already received turned out. Then sit down with DCA's leadership and ask one plain question: how can you help Ashburn?

   Hold me to this

   Fact sheet published and a meeting requested with DCA in the first year.

   First yearNeeds a partner

10. 7.10

    Tell You Before Your Taxes Go Up

    Georgia law says that when a city sets its tax rate above what's called the rollback rate, that counts as a tax increase, and the city has to say so and hold public hearings first. Every year, before council votes on the tax rate, I'll explain in plain English what the rollback rate is, what's being proposed, what it means on a typical home, and how I plan to vote and why.

    Hold me to this

    A plain explanation and my planned vote published before every tax-rate vote.

    First yearI can do this alone