Organizational Reform Commission's Recommendations on Cost Savings and Efficiencies

Let me know what you think about the Organizational Reform Commission’s final report (takes awhile to load) that it presented to us today. The Commission outlined a blueprint for restructuring some agencies and recommended changes in processes and operations that, together, could yield the County savings of at least $30 million per year, and potentially hundreds of millions per year depending on how the recommendations are implemented.

The eight-member citizen commission, consisting of four members named by County Executive and four named by the Council, was charged with helping to address the County’s serious fiscal challenge by proposing ways to reorganize or consolidate functions performed by County government or County-funded agencies.

Over the past six months, the Commission sought suggestions from County stakeholders, held nearly 50 full Commission or work group meetings, and reviewed dozens of reports, including the recent comprehensive report of the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight on the County’s structural budget deficit.

The Commission’s 28 recommendations fall into two groups. The first group deals with changes in structure and organization – for example, merging the Park Police force into the County Police force, combining park and recreational services, and consolidating the information technology functions of the various County agencies. The second group deals with changes in process and operations – for example, requiring greater transparency in the collective bargaining process, adjusting the criteria that arbitrators must consider, and achieving greater efficiency in the use of Information Technology.

According to the Commission’s projections, the changes in structure and organization would result in savings of $6-7 million per year, with future additional savings that are not yet quantifiable. The changes in process and operations would result in savings of at least $22 million per year, with further large future savings possible from modifications to the collective bargaining process.

The Commission concluded that most of its recommendations could be implemented in the short or medium term and that they would not have a large impact on services provided to County residents.

According to the resolution that created the ORC, any organizational proposal for County government in the Commission’s report must take the form of a reorganization plan for the Executive to submit to the Council by Feb. 28. The Council must hold a public hearing on the plan by March 31 and vote on a plan before the FY12 operating budget is adopted.

The Executive may present an alternative reorganization plan that he concludes will produce at least the same level of cost savings, or inform the Council in writing why no reorganization plan is necessary. If the Executive does not present to the Council any reorganization plan or other proposal contained in the Commission report, the Council President must introduce each plan or proposal that can be implemented by County legislation as a bill before the Council.

Montgomery Organizational Reform Commission to Hold Public Forum

Do you have a good idea on ways Montgomery County can consolidate or reorganize to improve efficiency? If so, let the Montgomery County Organizational Reform Commission know your thoughts on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the group’s public forum.

The eight-member commission, which was appointed by the Montgomery County Council and the County Executive this July, is composed of County residents who are experienced in government, business and non-profit service delivery. The volunteer commission, which is scheduled to provide recommendations to the Council and the Executive by Jan. 31, has been gathering information in its initial phase in order to provide the County Council with a status report by Sept. 30.

The commission will ask residents to help fulfill its mission by holding a public forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20, in the Third Floor Hearing Room of Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. Residents can sign up in advance to speak by calling 240-777-7814 or 240-777-7938. If time allows, speakers who do not sign up in advance will also be able to offer suggestions. The committee said that items in writing will be most helpful.

Since starting its work, the commission has been soliciting ideas and suggestions for potential reorganization or consolidation from elected officials; residents; business and community leaders; County and agency employees; bargaining unit representatives; and other stakeholders.