New Online Tool Gives Residents Chance to "Balance the Budget"

In Simcountry, a virtual reality game, players can create their own ideal society by making choices on how much to spend on everything from education to housing to weaponry.

Now Novato residents can do the same with a new online tool that offers a glimpse into some of the budget choices facing the city in coming years.

Should the city fully fund storm drains, bridges and other infrastructure at a price tag of $332,000 a year?

Should employee salaries be set to the inflation rate at a cost of $200,000 a year or frozen until the economy improves? 

Perhaps the city should install a synthetic turf field for local ball players or pay off the corp yard debt in order to avoid paying even more down the road?

These are some of the questions Novato City Council will have to answer in light of a $300,000 budget deficit this year.

“Players” can click on their choices and watch the bottom line increase or decrease depending on their selection.

“It’s a really good demonstration of the tensions and tradeoffs for the city,” said Brian Cochran, Novato’s finance manager.

The “fiscal viability” tool was created by a contract web programmer at a cost of $3,300 to the city.  And although the scenarios are theoretical, the implications are very real, said City Manager Michael Frank.

“It’s not just a math exercise,” Frank said Tuesday during a town hall meeting to discuss Novato’s long-term financial health. “The challenge is maintaining a certain level of services…We’re not just looking at financial sustainability, but organizational sustainability.”

To try out the new online budget tool, click here.

What areas would you prioritize and what can the city save money on? Sound off in the comments below.