2014-02-20 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Mr. Perry suggested asking the departments what is on their wish list. Ms. Kierkiewicz suggested including items 2-5 (from the previous letter to department heads) in addition to their recommendations from the last report. Ms. Kelly asked Mr. Matsuda if he thought the commission would have a better reply if the departments do a presentation. Mr. Matsuda replied it depends on scheduling and time constraints because one department is probably going to take up an entire meeting. Ms. Kelly stated that’s probably why the sub-committees were created. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated she liked that approach and the commission should use their time to analyze the information gathered and come up with recommendations. Ms. Kelly noted she would like to have the departments provide a one page summary of their implementation of their recommendations so that there would be no misinterpretation. She stated it would provide clarification and transparency. Ms. Kierkieweicz stated the commission could give the department heads an option of either responding in writing or meet with them. She would rather meet with them and hear what they have to say but not require the department heads to create a one page summary. Mr. Mitchell noted he felt uncomfortable with requiring the department heads to provide a summary. Mr. Espejo stated the letters should be kept simple and inform them of the commission’s charge. Ms. Kelly agreed and stated she likes the simplicity of the letters. Ms. Kierkiewicz clarified that for the departments where no recommendations were made, the commission would be sending a letter asking them for suggestions. Ms. Kelly stated that’s the third letter. Ms. Maddox clarified that Mr. Espejo wanted to be consistent across all of the letters so the responses are also consistent with the commission’s charge rather than creating different questions for departments. Ms. Kelly agreed; she stated the letter to the department heads and commissions should include if their recommendations were implemented as well as the four simple questions. Motion and Vote : Ms. Kierkiewicz moved to include in all of the letters the following four questions: 1) limiting expenditures to the lowest amount consistent with the efficient performance of essential services, activities and functions; 2) eliminating duplication and overlapping of services, activities and functions; 3) consolidating services, activities and functions of a similar nature; and 7