Gwinnett City Uses Citizen Budget Committee

The City of Duluth (in Gwinnett County, Georgia) is using a unique method to make appropriate budget cuts in these hard times: “The brainchild of City Administrator Phil McLemore, the citizens budget committee is made up of 35-plus ordinary folks tasked with offering suggestions for cutbacks and ideas for generating revenue.” I think increasing citizen involvement in any level of government is a positive accomplishment. Involving citizens in the administration side of government, especially budgeting, can only help local governments make the needed tough cuts in a manner acceptable to citizens and public leaders.