The best time to solve looming problems is before they arrive,
and that’s why some Bradford city officials are advocating applying
for state assistance sooner rather than later.

Dr. Jim Evans and city controller Ron Orris spoke to The Era on
Tuesday about the state Department of Community and Economic
Development’s Early Intervention program and why they feel council
should apply now.

“My feeling is, it’s best to move on these sorts of things when
not in the middle of the crisis,” Evans said. “We all know the city
has significant budgetary issues.”

The Early Intervention program offers a personalized financial
plan for municipalities. An independent financial consultant comes
in to review the city’s finances, operations and community trends,
and then files a report with recommendations for financial
solvency. The program is funded with a grant that requires a 50
percent match.

Now, just a month prior to the beginning of the state’s fiscal
year on July 1, may be the best time to apply to the program, Orris
said.

“Hopefully we can get into the program right away,” Orris said.
“If we can get them in here and get them working this summer, maybe
they can come back with suggestions we can implement for next
year.”

In the long term, the city is faced with a declining tax base,
declining population and increasing costs, Evans said.

“There are long-term problems ahead if we don’t start looking at
it in long-term way,” the councilman explained.

Orris explained the city, with the help of the state’s
Governor’s Center for Local Government Services, would select from
a group of consultants to undertake the study of the city’s
finances and practices.

“This individual would come in and work with us and make
recommendations with an outsider’s point of view based on best
practices in other Third Class cities,” Evans said. “We’re so close
to it, it’s sometimes difficult to see where we might make
changes.

“It’s always helpful to have advice from outside,” he added.

Evans said other municipalities have struggled with the same
issues facing Bradford, and through this Early Intervention
program, the city can benefit from what has worked in other parts
of the state.

Orris said he doesn’t see a downside to seeking help through the
Early Intervention program.

“I would like the city to come up with some long-range planning
instead of shooting from the hip,” he said. “Make a five-year plan
and stick to it. Every business does that. You have to plan ahead.
This would be the ideal way to do it.”

Orris added that he feels the biggest step is picking the right
consultant, one who has familiarity with the issues faced by small
city governments. And then, he said, he wants to see the consultant
work with everyone, “from the garbage truck drivers to the mayor”
to see how the city does business, and where savings might be
found.

Council will have to vote to approve making an application to
the Early Intervention program. The next scheduled council meeting
is at 7 p.m. June 8.