Redding council approves city-wide efficiency study at request of new city manager
The study is intended to “increase efficiency and accountability while reducing waste,” according to the staff report. The council allocated up to $300,000 to hire a consulting firm — chosen by the new city manager — that will conduct the study.
The Redding City Council has approved spending up to $300,000 to hire a consulting firm to conduct a city-wide efficiency study — all at the request of new City Manager William Tarbox.
The council voted on the agenda item last night after receiving a presentation not from the city manager, but from interim Assistant City Manager Michael Webb, who said he will act as the project manager of the effort at Tarbox’s request. Webb, who also serves as the city’s public works director was promoted to hold the interim role after former Assistant City Manager Steve Bade retired in December.
While the council did not hold any public discussions about the need for such a study before last night, council members engaged in relatively little discussion before unanimously voting to approve it.
Tarbox officially started his role as city manager about a month ago. Last Friday, he spoke during a press conference originally called to address REU rate hikes where he pivoted to focus on an ambitious plan to cut costs for the city. He told Shasta Scout after the meeting that when it comes to reviews related to efficiency, “nobody is going to be exempt, not one department,” describing an “assault” style overhaul of city operations.
The city will conduct the study with the help of Circle 6 Consulting, Inc. a firm being contracted at the request of the city manager. The process will include a “financial deep dive,” department interviews, waste identification and “cost leakage and control risk assessments,” according to the staff report. The contract between the city and the consulting firm states that work by the firm must be completed by Sept. 30, 2026.
In order for the contract to be approved, the council had to vote to bypass the city’s usual request for proposal process to award the contract to Tarbox’s chosen firm. According to Webb’s presentation, the money being allocated to the study will come from reserves held by the city’s Enterprise, Internal Service and Special Revenue Funds, and savings from the Animal Control and General Fund.
Council members asked questions for only about five minutes before approving the efficiency study agenda item, which was about half the time it took for Webb to present on both the study and the consulting firm. Resner asked Webb if the community should expect to receive a return on investment from this study, to which Webb said that the study will allow for departments and staff to have more useful ways to spend their time, which will increase city efficiency.
Council member Tenessa Audette said during the meeting that council discussions about efficiency were a part of the city manager hiring process, noting that it’s important for the city to “stay ahead of things and be as efficient as possible.” She asked Webb if updates will be provided to the public about the study, and he responded that he plans to present regular updates.
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Hold on to your hats, City employees. The name “Circle 6 Consulting” caught my eye, and as suspected, it is a Sigma 6 cult devotee. Those of you involved with labor unions will recognize it well, aka the misnomer “continuous improvement” or as the Japanese call it: “kaizen.” It is an insidious scheme designed to pit the employees against each other as they spiral their wages, hours and working conditions downward, all in the name of “efficiancy.” This will likely not end well, or in anything other than short term gratification for those who do not value the true worth of public servants.
So, there will 100% be lawsuits and union strikes from these idiots trying to destroy positions and cutting everything. Now this brilliant thinking is at city AND county level
Jesus, can we just hire someone who has some actual experience and is qualified instead of just some loud fast talker?
The residents of the City of Redding will be shocked to learn that the government of the City of Redding that is supposed to be providing them with public safety and other high-value services is actually providing the staff of the City of Redding with low workloads and your-kidding-me compensation.
For one example: The Dudley Do-Right “park rangers” of the Redding Police Department and their version of Steamboat Willie going toot, toot, toot up and down the Sacramento River within the City limits even though that is responsibility of the Shasta County sheriff who has been doin it well.
Yes, the “assault” study should save the citizens ten times its cost: There are much less expensive ways to accomplish what does need to be accomplished.
To be fair this has been a problem for decades and now we’re seeing the result. I’m all for the new city manage looking into these salaries. The current leadership and HR can say these wages are needed to attract the best candidates when most of the time people are hired based on who they know or who they’re related to. This has been an ongoing issue for years at the CofR. They are not the only ones guilty of this either. Let’s look at the County, Cal Trans, the numerous school districts, etc. Let’s publish their huge salary packages as well, why stop with the CofR? I think too if you look at our local community college one would find that their current and past president were quite possibly the highest paid public employees in Shasta County. Transparent California is a good reference point.
Does the study include evaluating why the new City Manager is wasting tax payer dollars to remodel his office at City Hall?
Thought the City of Redding didn’t have any money…
Despite the high cost, I believe having this reputable outside firm do the evaluation will help restore trust in COR.
Just hoping my optimism is well placed.
Google “Sigma 6” for critical views of their methodologies. Garbage in, garbage out.
300k is a pretty good start in finding waste. Next, you might want to go to the overpaid city representation or the overpaid REU system that now costs as much as PG&E. And don’t overlook the waste in our law enforcement system. Theres a lot of pokice with serious social & anger issues, not to mention the sheer amount of laziness when it comes to investigating crimes as they’re happening within the county Sheriff’s office! Its like theyre afraid to put down their donut & get out of their warm cars to look into a late night burglary or the myriad of homeless issues! What Redding needs is an “internal affairs” office. They want small town growth but insist on Big City wages! There’s your Waste!
Not to mention their fat retirement package that is non sustainable.
What do you mean REU is the same as PG&E? I just moved from the County into the City and the Electric Rates are about 1/3 of PG&E. My realtor was selling the fact that the house was within REU coverage. Maybe have a closer look at what you are paying for Electric. $.15 (REU) v $.50+ (PG&E).
Look at your entire utility bill compared to unincorporated areas and you will see Redding makes up for it elsewhere.