A "Q&A" means question and answer, and is often used to communicate a specific message or information (instead of answering general or frequently asked questions, which are referred to as FAQs).
Here's a "Q&A" arising from Tuesday's Christiansburg Finance Committee meeting, which is made up of Council members Ann Carter (Chair) and Mike Barber, the Mayor (as an exofficio member), Town Manager Lance Terpenny, Assistant Town Manager Barry Helms, and Assistant to the Town Manager Adam Carpenetti. (View video recording here.)
Question #1: When is an elected official only another citizen?
Answer #1: Someone elected or appointed to public office holds authority at a point when a motion has been made, a second received and then casting their vote to represent his/her constituents. When attending any other functions, while being perceived as a representative of the body they were elected or appointed to, said individuals are present only as another citizen with no special powers or privileges.
Question #2: What is the difference between a Public Hearing or Citizens Hearing and a regular public meeting or work session?
Answer #2: Public and/or Citizens Hearings are generally legally required forums for the public to provide input and opinion on the matter at hand (Public Hearings), or relative to any public concerns or issues (Citizens Hearings). Contrasted with regular meetings or work sessions meant for the official body to conduct the business listed on the adopted agenda, these are open to the public to listen or observe proceedings yet do not provide opportunity for public comment.
Other elected officials were present in the public audience today, yet inserted themselves in the meetings by making comments. When this liberty or courtesy is allowed for one, it must be provided to any.
Question #3: What is the difference between an Appendix and an appendix?
Answer #3: An Appendix is the insertion of material at the end of a book or report -- like a budget -- which provides additional details (like number of town fleet vehicles, when they were placed in service, staff this equipment is assigned to, daily hours/mileage usage, odometer readings, maintenance history and costs) and may also be referenced as exhibits or provide information in a table format. An appendix is a small saclike appendage of the large intestine (in humans, it is not uncommon to see it become inflamed or infected, and surgically removed to prevent rupture and toxic death).
Appendices, tables or exhibits are absent from all town budget materials provided to council members or the public. Frequently, Finance Committee members are unable to determine why a cost was included (whether it was being rolled over as an unexpended need from the current budget, an ongoing financial commitment, or anticipated expense which would not become payable until the new budget cycle) as past, present and proposed data is not shown in a cumulative format, nor relevant contract terms available or referenced.
Question #4: When is a solicited donation a no-bid purchase?
Answer #4: When any town official (elected officer or staff member) solicits a donation on the town's behalf, and the business responds that times are tough and cash is short -- but a really good deal on inventory could be arranged.
Discussing the town's financial needs for the upcoming 2009-2010 fiscal year was past due, in our humble opinion, so it was good to see this process begun today.
For the capital improvements, enterprise funds and equipment outlay -- excluding all salaries, benefits and general operating expenses -- this represented $12 million in requests from all town departments, with some items being dead on arrival (as denoted by being lined out). What wasn't heard was whether each department or supervisor was given a mandate to reduce the current budget by X amount or percent (that may be discussed in the Finance Committe's next meeting or when general operating budgets are reviewed).
Additional details will follow as these work sessions proceed, but first we have some more questions that need answers.