Issues and Trends
Issue Statement # 1:
While budget autonomy may somewhat change the District's relationship with the federal government, congressional and Council mandates will continue to make program implementation and financial resource management a challenge.
Issue Statement # 2:
The OCFO is the integrity arm of the government, and consists of staff with extremely complex responsibilities. OCFO managers and personnel support systems must be fully prepared to attract a highly trained and efficient workforce, successfully manage the union environment, provide a high level of service, and meet the needs of the OCFO to do more with less.
Issue Statement # 3:
As the independent fiscal manager, the OCFO must ensure financial integrity while striving to achieve balance between policies, budget priorities, and expenditures through interaction with the Mayor, DC agencies, Council, and Congress.
Issue Statement # 4:
The OCFO must concentrate its efforts in retaining highly skilled and experienced staff through education, training, pay, and benefits, so that it can provide a stable organization to accomplish its mission and goals.
Issue Statement # 5:
As new IT systems are implemented and integrated, not only must the OCFO make full use of technology to enhance budgeting and management reporting, it must also independently verify any relevant District-wide cost savings while adequately providing for necessary systems maintenance and upgrades.
Issue Statement # 6:
The acknowledged structural imbalance between revenues and expenditures continues to impede the District's ability to achieve program goals, limits our tax and spending options, leaves the city vulnerable to economic fluctuations, and places a premium on sound financial management.
Issue Statement # 7:
The OCFO needs to encourage strong management controls in partnership with program managers to continue to transition the District to a culture of vigorous enforcement of the local Anti-deficiency Act and sound financial planning.
