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Burr Consulting provides technical expertise, good policy sense, team work and strong communication skills to public agencies. There are several different types of studies that Burr Consulting has performed for various jurisdictions.

Municipal Budget and Finance Studies

Economic Development Studies

Benchmark Studies

LAFCO Studies

Municipal Budget and Finance

Tax Competition Studies

The competitor cities study provides a review of the jurisdiction’s significant tax programs, and compares the tax rate and economic development incentives in the jurisdiction to competitor cities to determine whether or not the jurisdiction’s tax rates and incentive packages are competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. The study provides analysis of how the jurisdiction’s incentive and tax package affects business and real estate development. Burr Consulting has conducted this type of study for the City of Los Angeles.

Tax and Incentive Impact Modeling

Tax and incentive impact modeling involves constructing a dynamic economic model that allows policymakers to understand both the revenue and job creation impacts of economic development incentive packages, as well as more comprehensive tax and permit reform proposals. The policymakers would first provide guidance on the types of incentives or tax reforms under consideration, and the model would be constructed to support analysis of the types of incentive and tax proposals likely to be considered. Upon request, the research team will provide policy recommendations to showcase how the model works. Often, the jurisdiction submits incentive proposals or tax reform scenarios to be modeled. Burr Consulting has conducted this type of study for the City of Los Angeles.

Budget Projections and Modeling

Budget projections and economic modeling studies help jurisdictions make financial plans and establish mitigation payments or tax-sharing agreements with other jurisdictions. These studies often consider not only general fund issues, but also various special funds, enterprises, off-budget grant funds, capital funds, debt funds, or employee benefits. Careful consideration of accounting and organizational practices is incorporated. Burr Consulting has constructed such models to identify the fiscal mitigation payments owed by several communities proposing independence.

Service Cost Benchmarking

Benchmark studies compare service levels, service quality, financing, and other performance indicators among comparable jurisdictions. These studies help jurisdictions make sound budget and service decisions, structure taxes and fees, set up performance-based budgeting and improve performance and management efficiency. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies throughout California and the nation, including Detroit, Michigan.

Revenue Forecasting

Revenue forecasting involves projecting future revenue streams by fiscal year for budget planning purposes. Burr Consulting offers a full array of econometric forecasting services, and has completed a revenue forecast for the cities of Los Angeles and San Jose.

Economic Development

Job Creation Studies

Studies of job creation determine how healthy and competitive are the local economy’s industries and employers, and help jurisdictions identify economic development strategies. The studies focus on past trends in the local economy and competitor jurisdictions, as well as projected growth industries, areas and challenges. Often, the studies focus on economic vitality in sub-areas of the region such as cities, empowerment zones or council districts. Burr Consulting has conducted job creation studies for the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, and the states of Maryland and California.

Business Migration Studies

The business migration study helps policymakers determine how successfully they are attracting and retaining businesses in a particular jurisdiction. The study focuses on business migration rates, and compares the in-migration and out-migration of businesses to patterns in neighboring communities. The study focuses on the types of business moving in and out of the community, and analyzes whether a jurisdiction may have problems attracting or retaining certain types of businesses. Burr Consulting prepared a business migration study for Los Angeles.

Real Estate Studies

A real estate study involves analysis of areas within a jurisdiction where real estate values are high or growing, and areas with sluggish growth. The analysis focuses on where properties are selling, which areas of a jurisdiction are contributing more heavily to the property tax base, and which types of properties are selling. The analysis may focus on the extent to which recent and current building permits are high or low in certain areas. The analysis may focus on real estate values, growth and trends by zoning type, if the jurisdiction is interested in focusing on whether and where zoning may need modification. Another focus may be on forecasting growth in certain areas based on building permit and real estate turnover indicators.

Target Industries Analysis

Jurisdictions use target industries analysis to determine which industries are key to local economic growth, and may merit special economic development incentives. Most commonly, policymakers are interested in growth profiles, projected growth, export tendency, tendency to purchase inputs locally as opposed to outside the region, attractiveness of their community to an industry, geographic mobility of the industry, contribution to the local tax base, tax and incentive sensitivity of the industry, firm size, and pay levels. Burr Consulting has conducted target industries studies for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Beverly Hills.

Workforce Studies

A workforce study focuses on the jobs and earnings of workers in a particular area or industry. Burr Consulting assessed film industry employee concerns that motion picture production opportunities are increasingly moving to Canada. This study focused on the earnings profiles, growth, underemployment and unemployment experienced over the past decade among California’s film industry workforce and drew comparisons with the labor market experiences of California’s information technology industry workforce. This film industry workforce study was conducted as a sponsored research project of the California Employment Development Department.

Benchmark Studies

Municipal Benchmark Studies

Benchmark studies compare service levels, service quality, financing, and other performance indicators among comparable jurisdictions. These studies help jurisdictions make sound budget and service decisions, structure taxes and fees, set up performance-based budgeting and improve performance and management efficiency. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies throughout California and the nation.

Municipal Service Reviews

Municipal service reviews are studies of the effects of future growth on services, infrastructure needs, financing and the optimal boundaries for the cities and special districts within a county. Municipal service reviews include a benchmark analysis of the relevant local agencies and their services, including police, fire, hospitals, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, street maintenance, libraries, parks and/or housing. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies of agencies in the Inland Empire, Alameda County, Gateway, East San Gabriel Valley, West San Gabriel Valley, the Malibu-Las Virgenes area, and Catalina Island.

LAFCO Studies

Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis

A comprehensive fiscal analysis analyzes and projects the revenues, expenditures, and reserves of the proposed city over a time horizon of three or more years. Based on local preferences and research on comparable cities, the CFA establishes an affordable plan for service provision and a reasonable range of costs. In addition, the CFA assesses the financial effects of incorporation on other affected agencies, such as the County. The CFA is prepared objectively and thoroughly to meet legal requirements, the unique needs of the local LAFCO, and to withstand potential audit by the State Controller. Burr Consulting has coordinated and prepared fiscal analyses of numerous boundary scenarios for three proposed cities.

Annexation Studies

An annexation study includes financial, service, and boundary analysis of agency formation and boundary changes. Burr Consulting has conducted an annexation study for the City of Rialto and preliminary one for Orange County.

Municipal Service Reviews

Municipal service reviews are studies of the effects of future growth on services, infrastructure needs, financing and the optimal boundaries for the cities and special districts within a county. Municipal service reviews include a benchmark analysis of the relevant local agencies and their services, including police, fire, hospitals, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, street maintenance, libraries, parks and/or housing. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies of agencies in the Inland Empire, Alameda County, Gateway, East San Gabriel Valley, West San Gabriel Valley, the Malibu-Las Virgenes area, and Catalina Island.

Reorganization Studies

Reorganization studies include district dissolutions and mergers, detachment, special reorganizations, and consolidation. Many of the reorganization studies that Burr Consulting has conducted are confidential, but include studies for Orange County and the City of Victorville.

Sphere of Influence (SOI) Updates

A SOI update includes analysis of land use, service needs, facility capacity, service adequacy, and communities of interest for required quinquennial SOI updates.

Project Coordination

Development of Terms and Services

BURR CONSULTING
Home Services Clients Publications Staff Contact	SERVICES Burr Consulting provides technical expertise, good policy sense, team work and strong communication skills to public agencies. There are several different types of studies that Burr Consulting has performed for various jurisdictions. Municipal Budget and Finance Studies Economic Development Studies Benchmark Studies LAFCO Studies Municipal Budget and Finance Tax Competition Studies The competitor cities study provides a review of the jurisdiction’s significant tax programs, and compares the tax rate and economic development incentives in the jurisdiction to competitor cities to determine whether or not the jurisdiction’s tax rates and incentive packages are competitive with neighboring jurisdictions. The study provides analysis of how the jurisdiction’s incentive and tax package affects business and real estate development. Burr Consulting has conducted this type of study for the City of Los Angeles. Tax and Incentive Impact Modeling Tax and incentive impact modeling involves constructing a dynamic economic model that allows policymakers to understand both the revenue and job creation impacts of economic development incentive packages, as well as more comprehensive tax and permit reform proposals. The policymakers would first provide guidance on the types of incentives or tax reforms under consideration, and the model would be constructed to support analysis of the types of incentive and tax proposals likely to be considered. Upon request, the research team will provide policy recommendations to showcase how the model works. Often, the jurisdiction submits incentive proposals or tax reform scenarios to be modeled. Burr Consulting has conducted this type of study for the City of Los Angeles. Budget Projections and Modeling Budget projections and economic modeling studies help jurisdictions make financial plans and establish mitigation payments or tax-sharing agreements with other jurisdictions. These studies often consider not only general fund issues, but also various special funds, enterprises, off-budget grant funds, capital funds, debt funds, or employee benefits. Careful consideration of accounting and organizational practices is incorporated. Burr Consulting has constructed such models to identify the fiscal mitigation payments owed by several communities proposing independence. Service Cost Benchmarking Benchmark studies compare service levels, service quality, financing, and other performance indicators among comparable jurisdictions. These studies help jurisdictions make sound budget and service decisions, structure taxes and fees, set up performance-based budgeting and improve performance and management efficiency. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies throughout California and the nation, including Detroit, Michigan. Revenue Forecasting Revenue forecasting involves projecting future revenue streams by fiscal year for budget planning purposes. Burr Consulting offers a full array of econometric forecasting services, and has completed a revenue forecast for the cities of Los Angeles and San Jose. Economic Development Job Creation Studies Studies of job creation determine how healthy and competitive are the local economy’s industries and employers, and help jurisdictions identify economic development strategies. The studies focus on past trends in the local economy and competitor jurisdictions, as well as projected growth industries, areas and challenges. Often, the studies focus on economic vitality in sub-areas of the region such as cities, empowerment zones or council districts. Burr Consulting has conducted job creation studies for the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, and the states of Maryland and California. Business Migration Studies The business migration study helps policymakers determine how successfully they are attracting and retaining businesses in a particular jurisdiction. The study focuses on business migration rates, and compares the in-migration and out-migration of businesses to patterns in neighboring communities. The study focuses on the types of business moving in and out of the community, and analyzes whether a jurisdiction may have problems attracting or retaining certain types of businesses. Burr Consulting prepared a business migration study for Los Angeles. Real Estate Studies A real estate study involves analysis of areas within a jurisdiction where real estate values are high or growing, and areas with sluggish growth. The analysis focuses on where properties are selling, which areas of a jurisdiction are contributing more heavily to the property tax base, and which types of properties are selling. The analysis may focus on the extent to which recent and current building permits are high or low in certain areas. The analysis may focus on real estate values, growth and trends by zoning type, if the jurisdiction is interested in focusing on whether and where zoning may need modification. Another focus may be on forecasting growth in certain areas based on building permit and real estate turnover indicators. Target Industries Analysis Jurisdictions use target industries analysis to determine which industries are key to local economic growth, and may merit special economic development incentives. Most commonly, policymakers are interested in growth profiles, projected growth, export tendency, tendency to purchase inputs locally as opposed to outside the region, attractiveness of their community to an industry, geographic mobility of the industry, contribution to the local tax base, tax and incentive sensitivity of the industry, firm size, and pay levels. Burr Consulting has conducted target industries studies for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, the City of Los Angeles, and the City of Beverly Hills. Workforce Studies A workforce study focuses on the jobs and earnings of workers in a particular area or industry. Burr Consulting assessed film industry employee concerns that motion picture production opportunities are increasingly moving to Canada. This study focused on the earnings profiles, growth, underemployment and unemployment experienced over the past decade among California’s film industry workforce and drew comparisons with the labor market experiences of California’s information technology industry workforce. This film industry workforce study was conducted as a sponsored research project of the California Employment Development Department. Benchmark Studies Municipal Benchmark Studies Benchmark studies compare service levels, service quality, financing, and other performance indicators among comparable jurisdictions. These studies help jurisdictions make sound budget and service decisions, structure taxes and fees, set up performance-based budgeting and improve performance and management efficiency. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies throughout California and the nation. Municipal Service Reviews Municipal service reviews are studies of the effects of future growth on services, infrastructure needs, financing and the optimal boundaries for the cities and special districts within a county. Municipal service reviews include a benchmark analysis of the relevant local agencies and their services, including police, fire, hospitals, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, street maintenance, libraries, parks and/or housing. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies of agencies in the Inland Empire, Alameda County, Gateway, East San Gabriel Valley, West San Gabriel Valley, the Malibu-Las Virgenes area, and Catalina Island. LAFCO Studies Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis A comprehensive fiscal analysis analyzes and projects the revenues, expenditures, and reserves of the proposed city over a time horizon of three or more years. Based on local preferences and research on comparable cities, the CFA establishes an affordable plan for service provision and a reasonable range of costs. In addition, the CFA assesses the financial effects of incorporation on other affected agencies, such as the County. The CFA is prepared objectively and thoroughly to meet legal requirements, the unique needs of the local LAFCO, and to withstand potential audit by the State Controller. Burr Consulting has coordinated and prepared fiscal analyses of numerous boundary scenarios for three proposed cities. Annexation Studies An annexation study includes financial, service, and boundary analysis of agency formation and boundary changes. Burr Consulting has conducted an annexation study for the City of Rialto and preliminary one for Orange County. Municipal Service Reviews Municipal service reviews are studies of the effects of future growth on services, infrastructure needs, financing and the optimal boundaries for the cities and special districts within a county. Municipal service reviews include a benchmark analysis of the relevant local agencies and their services, including police, fire, hospitals, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, street maintenance, libraries, parks and/or housing. Burr Consulting has conducted such studies of agencies in the Inland Empire, Alameda County, Gateway, East San Gabriel Valley, West San Gabriel Valley, the Malibu-Las Virgenes area, and Catalina Island. Reorganization Studies Reorganization studies include district dissolutions and mergers, detachment, special reorganizations, and consolidation. Many of the reorganization studies that Burr Consulting has conducted are confidential, but include studies for Orange County and the City of Victorville. Sphere of Influence (SOI) Updates A SOI update includes analysis of land use, service needs, facility capacity, service adequacy, and communities of interest for required quinquennial SOI updates. Project Coordination Development of Terms and Services
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