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(inaudible) in finance , so that ' s a question you might ask the <br /> finance director, if he has any objections as far as closing the <br /> fiscal year. I don' t know , whatever you suggest . But that was <br /> one of the points that was raised, yes. <br /> DUNCAN : Ron , I do have a question. I think that your <br /> suggestion of percentages might. . .might be a good approach. I <br /> wonder, however, if the overall concern should be (inaudible) <br /> misappropriation of funds. I think that the idea of flexibility <br /> is extremely important in running a department . I mean , I know <br /> even in private corporations when you do your budgets, at times <br /> your priorities do change , as markets change , as situations <br /> change. What is. . .in terms of evaluating t.his. . .how the funds are <br /> used in different departments , how is this mandatory program you <br /> view in Section 3-17 done in reality? Is that an effective <br /> mechanism, for the Council to review how County funds are used, <br /> and whether or not they ' re used effectively? <br /> IBARRA: I. . .presently , at least , this program has been <br /> carried out at the budget hearings. And certainly , if you look at <br /> this mandatory program review , it says at once every four years. <br /> And I think that ' s a very affective way, certainly, and I <br /> discussed it with some of the Council members that said that , so <br /> we don' t get shot dead when we. . .I 'm not the administration <br /> anymore . . .so the administration doesn' t get shot down at the <br /> budget hearing , that the Council committees can review programs <br /> within their areas , such as Public Works , as far as whether or not <br /> they want to fund sewage treatment plans or roads, etcetera, and <br /> not just wait for the budget review time where it looks like the <br /> administration and legislative branch is fighting because at that <br /> time, there ' s a review and the Council may not agree with the <br /> projects the administration submits. But if the administration is <br /> giving notice ahead of time that these are the projects that we <br /> want to fund, so that the administration can put in the <br /> appropriate money funding this project , I think that would be <br /> a. . .insure a smoother budget hearing. And sometimes politicians <br /> want controversy . <br /> L 'ORANGE : Is there anything in the budget process that <br /> would preclude the administration and the Council getting together <br /> on a budget in December--even before the Legislature? so that <br /> you ' re going to the Legislature with the same program and you have <br /> a preliminary review and all the time to look over it, and then <br /> (inaudible) May 1st you do the official budget which has the funds <br /> in there? It seems like procedurally the problem could be solved <br /> if both sides would (inaudible) . <br /> IBARRA : (Inaudible. ) <br /> L' ORANGE: . . .participate in the process . <br /> GREENWELL : One of the problems is that the priorities of <br /> the Legislature may be different than the priorities of the <br /> 47 <br />