Mayor's Office - FAQs

The project will focus on improving services across the entire City in stages. Stage One will target four departments that provide direct services. These departments are Public Service, Parks, Recreation and Properties, Public Health and Building and Housing and they are the first being targeted because:

• They have already started to look at "how work gets done" in and between their departments
• They represent services with significant cost savings potential
• They work directly with the public on a daily basis
• They are already looking at how to save costs

During Stage One, the Task Force will examine how to save money by examining four core processes:

• Information Technology, or the City's computers
• Purchasing of services and products
• Human Resources and Personnel
• Customer Service

Oversight of this initiative will occur through the creation of an Operations Efficiency Council (Task Force), which will be chaired by Darnell Brown, Chief Operating Officer. The various subject related work groups will be established and will consist of employees, community leaders and subject matter experts. The work of the Task Force will be facilitated by the creation of a Program Management Office (PMO). The PMO will be responsible for the day to day operations of the project and will develop and implement all standard operating procedures and processes to ensure the initiative is effectively managed.

Each department is expected to:

• With the assistance provided by the Operations Efficiency Task Force, identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and work practices.
• With the help of skilled and knowledgeable employees, participate with members of the Operations Task Force to recommend changes to the methods in which work is performed and will result in effective and efficient work practices we believe will result in improved customer service and operational savings
• Adhere to the standardized project management, policies and procedures implemented through the Program Management Office (PMO)
• Quantify performance improvement measures and targets so there can be an effective determination of the quality of the job performance and a clear accountability for results.

Collective bargaining units directly affected by the Stage 1 core process evaluations have already been invited to meet with Chief Operating Officer Darnell Brown. As the remaining CBU's become directly impacted by the evaluative process, they will also be given the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns with Chief Brown.