2006-12-07 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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them access to all R &D's information and resources, so that those employees will be the people who actually write the grants for their department. R &D does not believe in writing grants for people. Grants need to be written by people who have a good understanding of their departments' operations and requirements. R &D's philosophy is to do the teaching and provide assistance. They are not to do things for people, but rather give them everything they need to do it themselves. They are training to have grant mentors on hand in every district. Ms. Nicholson said that the COGC has heard from some departments that they need a grant writer, or that the employees writing the grants are actually engineers, and the grant writing is taking them away from their duties. She asked Ms. Testa if she saw R &D has having a role in intervening with the County and supporting the grant writers for departments. Ms. Testa said it would be ideal if every department could identify one employee for R &D to work with. R &D could provide the training and technical assistance. They could not instruct departments on who the best employees would be to write grants, and it is possible that some departments would not choose the best person. However, R &D will work with them anyway. Because R &D is another department, they can only recommend and offer help, but they cannot make decisions for another department. If all the departments identify the employees who are to do grant- writing, they should be able to increase their grant sources and outside funding by a certain percentage. However, the grant- writing employees need to have dedicated time to write the grants. R &D will not write the grants for them, as that system does not work. Grant sources would prefer that those who write grants actually work in the department involved with the grant. Mr. Sakaguchi said there is misunderstanding in that departments feel that R &D is responsible for helping them get grants but is not doing so. Therefore, someone needs to inform departments that it is their own responsibility, but that R &D will provide a mentor. Ms. Testa said that departments are saying they have no one to dedicate for the purpose of writing grants. R &D has spoken to these departments, but it is not what they want to hear. These departments need to hire someone to be a grant coordinator. The Chair asked Ms. Testa to go through the questions "a" through "g" on the agenda. As question "a," regarding grant monies and grant writers, was answered, Ms. Testa continued with question "b." b. Do you have any ideas about what your department can do to save money while not compromising essential services? Ms. Testa said they are looking at the ability of all departments to have more efficient highway cars. Ms. Testa felt that more integration of programs was needed, rather than working in silos, and this would not cost more money. In the long run, Ms. Testa said it would save money if they could help communities set up community networks to enable them to better respond in times of emergencies and hazards.