Author: Financial Management Resource Bureau
The DLS Financial Management Resource Bureau (formerly the Technical Assistance Bureau) has offered financial management advice to municipalities across the state for over 30 years. To share this guidance more broadly, we thought it would be helpful to highlight some of our more useful, timely, or interesting recommendations for the benefit of City & Town readers.
Effective governance is crucial for the smooth functioning of cities and towns. Town administrators serve as key liaisons between elected officials, municipal departments, and the community. While a job description outlines the specific responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations of the town administrator position, a bylaw provides a legal framework that formally establishes the role and its authority within a town’s governance structure. Codifying the town administrator role through bylaw is a progressive step towards efficient governance and can support town structure, policies, and processes. This article explores the benefits of codifying the town administrator role and why it is essential for the continued growth and success of Massachusetts towns.
Professional Expertise and Stability
Codifying the town administrator role provides stability in position function and responsibility, promoting consistency in the role and government structure. Towns with established bylaws can clearly define the position ensure continuity in role and responsibilities during position turnover. This in turn can attract and retain highly qualified individuals dedicated to serving in the formally defined role.
Effective Policy Implementation
Town administrators play a crucial role in translating the vision of elected officials into tangible action plans. Codifying this position can charge the town administrator with policy execution and empowers them with the authority to implement policy decisions. This allows a town administrator to act as a bridge between elected officials and municipal departments and facilitate the process of policymaking and policy compliance.
Efficient Resource Allocation
A town administrator bylaw can outline processes and responsibilities for financial decision and allocation of municipal resources. Administrators are equipped to develop and oversee budgets, analyze financial data, and make informed decisions regarding town revenues and expenditures. Defining the town administrator’s financial role and authorities creates a structured approach to financial processes and decision-making. This ensures consistency in overall fiscal management and promotes transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer funds.
Streamlined Administrative Processes
Town administrators are responsible for overseeing day-to-day administrative operations, personnel management, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Codifying this role towns can streamline administrative processes, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and improve the efficiency of service delivery to residents.
Reporting Structure
A bylaw can set forth a general framework for the town administrator supervising authority and reporting relationships. Formally defining town administrator authorities clarifies reporting relationships between management and personnel and empowers the town administrator to hold officials accountable. Implementing this bylaw can provide a clear legal foundation for the Town Administrator position and ensure proper implementation and enforcement.
By establishing a legal framework for this position, towns can benefit from professional expertise, streamlined processes, and effective policy implementation. The role of Town Administrators enhances the overall functioning of local government ensuring stability, transparency, and accountability. Embracing this approach can pave the way for sustainable development improved citizen satisfaction and prosperous communities.
Helpful Resources
DLS has complied a number of handy resources that might be helpful to review as you consider ways in which the role of the town administrator might be better defined in your community. Below you’ll find a links to introductory municipal finance guidance, trainings, data and other helpful resources.
Review our Foundations in Municipal Finance for the New Official trainings. Unveiled this year, these interactive videos provide a comprehensive overview of municipal finance in Massachusetts and cover key concepts important to new local officials or those who seek a better understanding of the subject. They outline the budget process in both practical and policy terms, highlights best practices for sound financial management, and explain how each municipal official's role contributes to the overall financial health of a community. We recommend starting with the Introduction and continuing through the Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring modules.
Familiarize yourself with DLS resources such as the municipal glossary, the events calendar, the municipal calendar, and the Legal Index for Municipal Officials.
Utilize our data visualization tools, municipal trend dashboard and our community snapshot tool to better understand your community.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Not only are our videos helpful for local officials, they can also serve as an informational tool you can provide to interested residents and taxpayers with questions about subjects such as Proposition 2 ½ and our New Officials playlist.
Helpful Resources
City & Town is brought to you by:
Editor: Dan Bertrand
Editorial Board: Marcia Bohinc, Linda Bradley, Sean Cronin, Emily Izzo, Lisa Krzywicki and Tony Rassias
| Date published: | July 20, 2023 |
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