“Taking Charge” Plan Key to Making Lincoln “Open for Business”

“Lincoln can only be ready to grow and open for business if the Mayor seizes the reins and demands results from city government. As Mayor, I have a plan to make sure city agencies meet specific goals and hold department heads accountable for results, “said Lincoln Mayoral candidate Chris Beutler in announcing his “Taking Charge” plan for city government.

“First, I will require response times be established and met in approving business projects. Our Fire and Police Departments have response time standards and so too should Public Works, Planning and Building and Safety to speed job creation.

“Second, I will appoint Project Managers, directly accountable to the Mayor, for all major projects. They will ensure the standards set by the Mayor and make sure that each Department is meeting their goals.

“Third, under the Beutler Administration, the City will participate in Regional Performance Comparisons with other cities. We can’t get better in government without actively and regularly identifying and learning best practices.

“Fourth, I will put accountability in the hands of the citizens with a regular City Performance Report. The report will list what has and has not been ccomplished since the last report and will include a citizen survey to rate the city on its performance. The report will be tied into the City web site to allow for interactive participation.

“Finally, I will only choose Directors with a history of meeting the goals set by their superiors and getting the job done. City government can only be as successful as the people who lead.

“While city employees are highly skilled, highly experienced and hard working public servants, they are not getting the direction they need to be successful in their jobs. Taxpayers pay the bills and want a government that meets their expectations. Both groups want a Mayor who demands results. My “Taking Charge” plan is essential to maintaining Lincoln’s outstanding quality of life,” Beutler concluded.