2015-01-16 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Discussion held regarding Overarching Themes & Recommendations. Ms. Garson asked if Mr. Mitchell’s comment regarding the Finance Department should be included in this section. Ms. Maddox thought it was in the specific department section rather than in the Overarching Themes. Ms. Kierkiewicz noted not all departments had a lead in sentence and wanted it all to be consistent. Ms. Maddox suggested a comment at the beginning of the Overarching Themes section about all departments having gone through furloughs and staff cuts within the last four (4) years. Ms. Kierkiewicz asked if Mr. Mitchell’s comment on Finance should be moved to the Introduction. Ms. Maddox thinks it should be more as a lead in to the Overarching Themes. She would like to commend all County department heads because they all worked on their own budgets. Discussion held and Technology Recommendation amended to read as follows: Modify overly burdensome policies related to forms within County departments to reduce the amount of paper being utilized and increase the flow of communication. Discussion held and Technology Recommendation amended to read as follows: Automate internal forms. For example, implement an e-time sheet system that allows the timesheet to pass electronically from employee through management to other departments; this could save hours of labor involved in current manual system. Discussion held and Technology Recommendation amended to read as follows: Expand use of electronic signatures Countywide as a secure and valid means of authorization to save money in paper, copying, handling and maintaining paper documentation when it is unnecessary. Discussion held and Technology Recommendation amended to read as follows: Continue efforts to consolidate duplicative IT systems among/between departments to improve IT support and service, increase efficiency of information sharing and reduce costs. Centralize support and decision making for IT related to the overall network backbone, e-mail, internet access, anti-virus support, software updates and licensing. Discussion held and People Recommendation amended to read as follows: Accept credit cards Countywide to complete transactions currently requiring “in person” cash or check payments, such as for licenses, taxes and renewals. Ms. Kierkiewicz stated for the lead in paragraph under People, the Commission’s intention was to identify general areas and suggested amended language. Discussion held and Overarching Theme for People amended to read as follows: 4