2014-02-20 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Matsuda replied that the commission waited a long time for responses from various departments. He thinks the first letter that should go out would be something generic, basically saying what the commission is doing and its concerns. Mr. Matsuda also stated that some departments came and did presentations on a particular subject to give the commission an oversight of the department and the commissioners were able to ask questions then. Ms. Garson stated the generic letters were sent out and when the responses came back some of the commissioners wanted to follow up with the departments and invited them to the meeting. Motion and Vote : Mr. Perry moved to have the commission send a letter to all the departments that had specific recommendations from the last Cost of Government Commission and authorize Ms. Maddox to sign that letter. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion and all commissioners present voted aye. Ms. Garson noted that notices were sent to all employees with their paychecks. Ms. Maddox stated some of the best ideas come from the ones that are on the ground working everyday and even if you get one or two recommendations implemented it grows from there. Ms. Garson stated the notice to employees has two simple questions, 1) how can the County save money while not compromising essential services and 2) how government can function more efficiently. She said the commission can also change the questions in the notice to employees. Ms. Maddox said she would consider rewording as the questions now are both yes/no questions and would also like the notice to go out to all employees. Ms. Garson suggested asking, what ideas do you have for the County to save money while not compromising essential services. Motion and Vote: Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to have a letter sent to all employees asking them ways the County can save money without compromising essential services and ways the County can function more efficiently. Ms. Kelly seconded the motion and all commissioners present voted aye. Ms. Garson clarified that the letter to employees and the letter to departments with previous recommendations have already been discussed and agreed upon. She asked the commission to review the prior letter to department heads which asked them to list the primary functions and services of their departments or commissions, what opportunities could be consolidated and ways to enhance revenue. Ms. Maddox said that last time, departments got two letters a month apart; 1) asking what their functions are and; 2) what did they do with their previous recommendations. She asked if it was possible to combine these two questions into one letter. 6