2011-06-24 Cost of Government Draft Report

Home

a) Require each department to facilitate long term planning and budgeting by having an annual planning session to identify their needs for outside contracting services over the next two to five years. This will allow each department to commence with drafting bid documents and properly define their scope.. b) Review internal processes that are currently in use to reduce change orders, renewals and processing in a timely manner. Utilize technology such as electronic signatures in each department, electronic distribution, and online approvals to increase efficiency. (See also Executive Summary) Budget Review Process 4. a) Develop three different budget scenarios for each department as part of the annual budgeting process. One version would be based on the current budget allocation, another version would reflect a five percent increase in funding, and the third would be based on a 10% decrease from the current budget. b) Review the county’s operating budget semi-annually or quarterly to make needed adjustments. 5. Boards and Commissions a) Request that all Boards and Commissions reduce the number of their meetings to help save on personnel time and travel reimbursements. 6. Miscellaneous a) Continue to update and enforce the county’s internet use policy for all employees. b) Solicit employee suggestions and recommendations on a regular basis including cost saving suggestions. B. Department Specific Recommendations to Save Costs and Increase Revenues 1. County Clerk a) Use a hiring agency to staff temporary election clerk positions 2. Environmental Management a) Implement software solutions to coordinate collection of tipping fees at the scale house and insure accounting systems are able to read the data. (See also Executive Summary) b) Regulate septic and grease haulers and increase the annual fee for registration commensurate with fees of other counties in Hawai‘i. (See also Executive Summary) 14