PETALUMA – The North Bay Leadership Council will delve into the issue of the government fiscal crises and reform with its June 2 Economic Insight Conference on “Changing Government to Fit New Realities.”
The conference will be at 7 a.m. at the Sheraton Petaluma Hotel.
The North Bay’s local governments collectively spend over $2.5 billion a year not including schools, said Cynthia Murray, president and chief executive officer of the North Bay Leadership Council.
NBLC commissioned Dr. Robert Eyler, director of the Sonoma State University Center for Regional Economic Analysis, to prepare and present a report on new ways to deliver governmental services including shared functions, public/private partnerships, consolidations, outsourcing and more.
The conference will explore how other governmental agencies have made government work more cost-effectively and efficiently.
Dr. Eyler’s research found many alternatives for how governmental services can be delivered. A response panel will consist of Joe Nation, former Assembly member, Stanford University professor and author of studies on public pension shortfalls, and Jason Wolenik, manager for Accenture Strategy. Mr. Wolenik is an author of a study on new government models, “Cross Jurisdictional Collaboration.” Ms. Murray will serve as moderator.
According to Dr. Eyler’s research, in the North Bay, a combination of changes could be considered.
“North Bay cities and counties could merge administrative functions, public safety, public health and other functions, likely at the large municipal or county level and gain efficiencies,” he said.
Tickets are $30 per person or $240 per table of eight. Continental breakfast is included. Event registration begins at 7 a.m. The program will run from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit northbayleadership.org or call 707-283-0028.
