Borough Discusses Taking Place in Benchmarking Survey

The West Chester Borough Finance Committee discussed taking part in a national survey that would show how West Chester stacks up to similar communities across the country.

Several members of the committee noted that it has become impossible to compare West Chester to other Chester county communities because none of those communities has a college like West Chester.

The survey being undertook by the International City-County Management Association would focus on college towns specifically and look into factors such as police, fire and sustainability.

Borough manager Ernie McNeely said that there aren't a lot of easy ways for a borough to measure itself objectively.  One way is through resident surveys, and another is through this type of benchmarking.

Once the survey is completed next year, the borough can look at the data and see where it is lacking compared to other similar communities around the country.

However, the data collection phase of the survey will cost the borough $5,500 that will be spread out across the general fund, the sewer fund and the parking fund.

"I usually vote no to anything that's a cost," said council member Jim Jones.  "But I support this."