Ed Note: The following is the latest in a series explanatory columns on recommendations made by the Charter Revision Commission.
By Ed Granfield
Commission Chairman
The mere suggestion of “Raising the Bar” in West Haven by establishing baseline credentials for all city department heads within the City Charter is a touchy subject. Our critics will suggest that we are attacking our current department leaders, which would be a false assumption. This component of our proposal, if passed in 2019, would not go into effect until 2021. And if it goes into effect in 2021, it does not mean there will be a wholesale firing of unqualified department heads.
It means the next time there is an opening for a new department head, that individual would have to meet the standards set forth within the City Charter! Breathe everyone, this is about the future of the city.
West Haven, along with many other cities and towns, struggles with the politics of “The friends and family program.” I think we can all agree it is one thing to push a local political button to help someone land an entry-level position so long as they are qualified and capable. But it is quite another matter when it comes to the management of a city with 1200 employees and a $163 million budget.
The Charter Revision Commission believes that West Haven taxpayers deserve the very best from their city government. Now if you believe we already do, you are welcome to your opinion. That said, is it too much to ask that all city department heads be required to meet typical industry standards in advanced education, training and experience? Is it too much to ask that these standards are documented within our City Charter to insure those standards are always met?
Department leaders can/may be responsible for dozens, maybe hundreds of employees and $$ millions of taxpayer dollars. “Raising the Bar” on this issue is a no-brainer. The CRC proposal includes credentials for all department heads because a highly trained and qualified management team is vital to the success of any community and political influence should not be part of the equation. We cannot eliminate it, but we can make every effort to reduce it! Credentials for all city department leaders is a necessity in order to meet the needs and demands of 21st century governing.
Sticking with the topic of credentials, the CRC has also proposed moving the City Clerk, Tax Collector, and the City Treasurer from elected to appointed positions. In today’s complex world, each of these offices requires a great deal of expertise in their respective fields, and it is illegal to require credentials for elected officials! For example, a Town & City Clerk, in order to meet state certification requirements, must complete five classes, plus two years on-the-job training, and pass a state exam, just to become certified.
A certified Tax Collector is typically college educated, with three years of municipal tax experience and must also pass a state exam. A City Treasurer is also typically college educated in the field of finance or accounting, must be bondable, and is legally responsible for the receipt, accounting and investment of city funds. A City Treasurer is also responsible for municipal trust funds and signing off on bonds, notes, and other financial obligations.
Our research of communities of similar size in Connecticut through the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) supports our conclusion of the 15 Cities and Towns like West Haven, 80% of treasurers. 90% of tax collectors, and almost 50% of city clerks are appointed (a growing trend). But since it is illegal to require credentials for elected officials, anyone can run for, get elected, and occupy one of these important positions, anyone. The risk should be obvious.
The democratic election process, created by the Founding Fathers of this nation was, by design, meant to insure that our local, state and federal legislative bodies would always be of, by, and for the people. These three offices are not legislative, they are managerial by design, and critical in scope. The research supports this move and the CCM verifies the logic by comparing similar communities to West Haven.
The CRC unanimously endorses this proposed change along with the addition of credentials to the City Charter, not only to “raise the bar” but our standards of excellence in West Haven. We believe the taxpayers deserve nothing less.