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Consultant outlines zero‑based budgeting: board told it's intensive but could increase transparency
Summary
Consultant Kim Lindsay told the board that zero‑based budgeting (ZBB) would require outside consultant support, substantial staff work and senior‑level contractor hours, estimating $50,000–$100,000 and 125–150 development hours plus monitoring.
Kim Lindsay of REAM Rehim Group gave the board an overview of zero‑based budgeting (ZBB), describing it as a process that requires leaders to "justify each cost" annually and to build budgets from a zero base rather than rely on prior‑year carryovers.
"It is a lot of work," Lindsay said, noting that the first cycle requires extensive information gathering on program costs, positions and revenue offsets. She advised the board that because much of Flint's revenue is grant‑restricted, aligning grants to prioritized programs will be central to any ZBB effort.
Lindsay proposed a timeline that would begin information gathering in November, run workshops through spring, and produce a final budget recommendation in May with monitoring through 2027–28. She estimated development work at 125–150 hours and monitoring at roughly 100 hours per year, and suggested consultant fees in a ballpark of $50,000–$100,000 depending on scope and senior staff involvement.
Trustees asked for examples of similar districts and cost breakdowns; Lindsay said a small set of experienced firms statewide perform this work and that teams will typically include senior managers or partners. Board members requested procurement and scope details to be prepared if the board directs staff to pursue an RFP.
