The newly-appointed coordinator for the City of Altoona told council Monday night his team will have a recovery plan ready to go just in time for officials to prepare their 2013 budget.
 
John Espenshade told those in attendance at the special meeting that the final product will need to be a “plan of shared sacrifice” achieved through cooperation and transparency. The team spent much of the day meeting with top city management and reviewing financial paperwork.
 
Espenshade says he envisions a plan that will allow Altoona to exit ACT 47 in a 5-year time span. He tells WRTA News his team will gain an understanding of why the city is in its financial predicament.
 

 
He says the ACT 47 process only works when everyone cooperates.
 

 
Espenshade says their recommendations will be given to council in September. He says it will then be up to them to adopt the plan or amend it. The plan will require a public hearing before being introduced by ordinance.