Introduction This article is Part II of the Editorial for the FY2027 Budget & Fiscal Policy discussion. If you wish to view Part I, click here. Discussion #3 New Fire Station The bonding which was approved a few years ago by the voters has not been drawn down. In simple terms, we have not…
Category: Strategic Planning
Kenneth J. Sousa for Smithfield Town Council
PRESS RELEASE Kenneth J. Sousa Declares Candidacy for Smithfield Town Council June 24, 2026 KSousaSmithfield@gmail.com On June 22, Kenneth J. Sousa submitted his candidacy for the position of Town Council in Smithfield RI. He is requesting your support as an endorsed Republican candidate. Experience – Business Dr. Sousa’s career has an extensive background in business,…
FY2027 Budget & Fiscal Policy (Part I)
Introduction At Smithfield RI budget and Financial Review Board meeting on Tuesday, April 7, the Smithfield Public School Department provided a presentation on their FY2027 budget. As an educator, I am committed to delivering a quality education to my students. Just ask them!! Haha. Education has changed my life and career. Here are the thoughts…
Smithfield Municipal Court — To Be or Will Be?
To Start … Before the 2024 election, this subject started to be discussed. In calls that were discussed with me, I provided an objective, factual narrative about the past history on this subject. Now on to the objective discussion. A Decade Retrospective This subject began with discussions from March 2015. See compilation of minutes document…
Budget Process FY2026 — Questions and Responses
Budget Questions and Responses — Town Departments The following links document the questions that were asked for specific departments. These departments were assigned to Cris Conti and myself. Town Clerk: Questions from the BFRB (click here). Human Services: Questions from the BFRB (click here). Fire Department: Questions from the BFRB (click here). Public Works: Questions…
Metrics and Drivers in Business and Government
Drivers and Metrics — Definition and Examples While previous accounting numbers and percentage comparisons are important, other data is needed. Specifically, metrics and other drivers of the budget process. What’s a driver? An example. If a company manufactures widgets. Each widget requires 3 hours of labor and $40 of materials. If the company is attempting…
Recap of Minutes (2022-24) — Fire Department
Analysis of Agenda Minutes Many people may believe that a budget process focuses the attention on the prospective (future) budget requests and recommendations. As in any organizational business, public or private, it is important to utilize institutional and historical knowledge as a foundation to analyze and review the future fiscal year budget. This facet is…
Smithfield Town Manager — Search Process
Farewell Smithfield Town Manager Randy R. Rossi has submitted his resignation to be effective in October. Mr. Rossi has worked tirelessly over the last 16 years as the Finance Director and the Town Manager in 2017. Over the last 16 years, he worked to assist Smithfield in the strategic, operational and fiscal matters of the…
Camp Shepard — Now and in the Future
The Introduction A different type of blog article. For a change :-). I have never been to the Camp Shepard property. I have been a few meetings of the Committee to listen about their plans. This summer, someone wanted to meet with me to discuss some personal and career issues. They said, why don’t we…
Smithfield Budget Process — An Effective Process in Fact Finding, Transparency and Fiscal Management
The Chalkboard Foundation Transparency – Something transparent, especially a picture, design, or the like on glass or some translucent substance, made visible by light shining through from behind. (Dictionary.com) Great definition if you are working with physical components. However, how is transparency defined in a business context? According to Forbes, “Business transparency is the process…
