July 3, 2012 — A number of communities have taken advantage of our no cost fiscal and operational assessment as they strive to cut costs and balance budgets in light of unprecedented revenue drops. Some of the local governments who have been provided fiscal and operational assessment are Rochester, Wayne, Eastpointe, Port Huron and Garden City. Some of the benefits those communities realized from the assessment follow:
- Public safety scheduling improvements that enhance the ability to train while reducing overtime costs 30-50%
- Collaborative dispatch arrangements that were implemented in less than 5 months saving 25%
- The SEMCOG benchmark data and best practice information were instrumental at convincing department heads that more efficient ways of performing their services was possible.
- Transfers from the General Fund were reduced 20-80% as various services like courts, utilities and library’s became self sufficient by implementing efficiencies and fee adjustments.
- Rebidding all service contracts yielded as much as 20% savings.
- Health care plans were modified to reduce premiums 15-30% without materially impacting employee benefits.
- During a SEMCOG University Webinar on the subject, Rochester City Manager Jaymes Vettraino provided the following chart showing the impact on their finances over the last several years. Their community was one of the first to take advantage of a fiscal and operational assessment.
SEMCOG's fiscal/operational assessment process
A team of SEMCOG’s expert consultants spend a ½ day on-site with the local government to analyze their fiscal situation and make specific recommendations that help them restructure, balance budgets, cut costs and/or enhance services in the most effective manner possible. The consultants have a wealth of public and private sector experience, plus have gained immeasurable insight and comparable information by working closely with the region’s local governments over the past 5 years.
For help in dealing with your fiscal and operational challenges or to arrange an assessment, contact Dave Boerger, boerger@semcog.org or 248-875-7120. Also, check out the AgileGov database on SEMCOG’s Web site.
Learn how to navigate fiscal uncertainty by improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and providing information on right-sizing. Through weekly posts, Dave will discuss legislative developments, best practices, and training opportunities.
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