Cook: Budgeting for something

David Cook

After Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced his budgeting-for-outcomes plan, I cheered. It’s intelligent, cutting-edge, responsible.

Or it’s supposed to be.

The budgeting for outcomes process begins by identifying outcomes, or goals. Berke chose four: safer streets, stronger neighborhoods, smarter students and sounder city government.

Then, leaders and staffers in each department propose their best ideas on how to reach those goals.

Want safer streets? Hire 40 new police officers, for example.