 | The Municipal Financial Crisis City governments are going bankrupt. Even the ones that aren't are often stuck in financial chaos. It is easy to blame pensions, poor leadership, or a bad economy. But the problems go much deeper. With decades of experience in local government, author Mark Moses showcases the inside world of the city decision-making process that has spawned these crises. It becomes clear: City governments are maxing out their budgets because they are trying to maximize services . This book, likely the most ambitious attempt by someone who has worked in government to radically examine the delivery of municipal services since 'Reinventing Government' was published more than 25 years ago, explores why city governments pursue an open-ended mission and why bailouts and trendy budgeting processes will be, at best, only temporary solutions. Of interest to current and future city council members, regional and state government officials, those covering city government, financial analysts, city management, and individuals and organizations interested in influencing city policy, this book argues that cities won't thrive until city hall is disrupted. Mark Moses has provided finance-related management and consulting services to local government agencies since 2011 after spending two decades working directly for municipal agencies in senior-level finance and administrative management positions. His areas of expertise include finance department process review, debt management and analysis, banking, investments, budget policy, long-term planning, internal controls, risk management and financial software. He has spoken at regional government conferences on improving the operational and organizational effectiveness of city finance departments. Mark's perspective on local government has been informed and influenced by his earlier career in small business consulting and banking and his interest in applied economics and philosophy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. He is a former member of the Government Finance Officers Association and has been an active member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for more than twenty-five years. |
