02-02-2022, 11:22 AM
I suspect it is simply motivated reasoning. The status quo works for decision-makers and most city staff, upending the status quo could be disruptive to the decision-makers' careers (forcing tax raises or cuts elsewhere), writing a report with conclusions your bosses really don't like means sticking your head out and potentially risk career advancement, and so we end up with justification and support for the status quo, because that is what best serves the needs of everyone involved in the process, save the outsiders.