MONROE - Members of the ad hoc committee tasked with looking at possible ways to restructure city government to save money got their assignments Thursday.
The committee boiled down about 70 ideas and suggestions to a "Top 10" list, which takes into consideration about 90 percent of the ideas.
The ideas have the potential to affect city government "for decades to come," Mayor Bill Ross said.
The best suggestions, those that members believed are most attainable or might give the best return on investment, include a 4-day work week for city employees; combining water and waste water utilities; sharing a full-time building inspector with other municipalities; streamlining the building permit process; and sharing services or supply purchases with the school district.
Computer technology comes into play in numerous ways, but particularly for an upgraded city website that would allow better marketing for city development; easier utility payments and permit applications; and quicker communication with the public.
The city's IT Committee is already developing projects that address several items on the ad hoc list, according to its chairman, Michael Boyce. Some of those projects will develop the new website, increase efficiency by coordinating software programs across departments, and make retrieving city information easier, while protecting it during emergency disasters with backup systems.
Fast fixes offered include turning off lights and equipment when not in use; exploring more contract services; reviewing fees for services to determine if they are adequate; and seeking private grants and donations. The committee determined that many ideas on their list were already being planned or have been implemented, among them improving the city parking ramp, zero-based budgeting and debt restructuring.
Some "wild ideas" made the Top 10 list, and were assigned to various members to research their feasibility.
Allowing the senior center to become a separate entity, for example, made the list; it already does some self-support. Members found that building a sports complex was already being considered by a private group.
The idea of selling Forest Prairie Park or making it a dog park slid off the list, when members discovered that the 90-acre park was relatively low maintenance, and was already used by dog owners as the only park in the city that allows dogs.
Mayor Ross moved to forward some ideas to the appropriate department heads or committees to consider. Citizens may submit to the committee any ideas they have by emailing them to restructuregov@cityofmonroe.org.
The committee meets again at 4 p.m. July 21 at the city hall.
The committee boiled down about 70 ideas and suggestions to a "Top 10" list, which takes into consideration about 90 percent of the ideas.
The ideas have the potential to affect city government "for decades to come," Mayor Bill Ross said.
The best suggestions, those that members believed are most attainable or might give the best return on investment, include a 4-day work week for city employees; combining water and waste water utilities; sharing a full-time building inspector with other municipalities; streamlining the building permit process; and sharing services or supply purchases with the school district.
Computer technology comes into play in numerous ways, but particularly for an upgraded city website that would allow better marketing for city development; easier utility payments and permit applications; and quicker communication with the public.
The city's IT Committee is already developing projects that address several items on the ad hoc list, according to its chairman, Michael Boyce. Some of those projects will develop the new website, increase efficiency by coordinating software programs across departments, and make retrieving city information easier, while protecting it during emergency disasters with backup systems.
Fast fixes offered include turning off lights and equipment when not in use; exploring more contract services; reviewing fees for services to determine if they are adequate; and seeking private grants and donations. The committee determined that many ideas on their list were already being planned or have been implemented, among them improving the city parking ramp, zero-based budgeting and debt restructuring.
Some "wild ideas" made the Top 10 list, and were assigned to various members to research their feasibility.
Allowing the senior center to become a separate entity, for example, made the list; it already does some self-support. Members found that building a sports complex was already being considered by a private group.
The idea of selling Forest Prairie Park or making it a dog park slid off the list, when members discovered that the 90-acre park was relatively low maintenance, and was already used by dog owners as the only park in the city that allows dogs.
Mayor Ross moved to forward some ideas to the appropriate department heads or committees to consider. Citizens may submit to the committee any ideas they have by emailing them to restructuregov@cityofmonroe.org.
The committee meets again at 4 p.m. July 21 at the city hall.