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Township to get state audit on its efficiency
(by Joan Demirjian - September 02, 2010)
Township to get state audit on its efficiency
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
With the goal of "serving residents better" with more efficient government, Bainbridge Township Trustees said they intend to ask the Ohio Auditor's Office for a "performance audit."
A performance audit is not financial. It assesses how efficient, effective and responsive the township's organizational structure is, Trustee Jeff Markley said at a special work session last Saturday.
"A performance audit should look at costs to residents," he said of township operations. It is a way to review service levels and waste and to recommend improvements, he said. The goal is to improve government accountability and decision making, Mr. Markley said.
A performance audit ties in with what trustees are doing within the township in looking at its policy manual and its department structures, he said.
Trustee Lorrie Benza said, "We need to buckle down and forge ahead."
The process will give rationale for legitimate changes in township's structure, Trustee Matt Lynch said. One of the possible changes includes formation of a township service department, he said.
With a performance audit, trustees will be aided in developing better policies and negotiating contracts with employees, Mr. Lynch said. "I think it's something we have to do."
Mr. Markley said he looked at performance audits done by the state auditor's office of other townships, and Bainbridge could use them as models. "One common thread was the ability to be more efficient," he said. "Efficiency is the name of the game."
"Which has financial ramification," Mr. Lynch said.
Audits of all the departments, including road, police, fire, Town Hall and parks, would be done.
Department heads will play key roles, according to Mr. Markley, who said he would like to see the township's policies for cost of living adjustments and raises be addressed.
Structuring personnel should be one of the first things done, Mrs. Benza said. Staffing and whether it is adequate or too much should be reviewed, she said.
"Each of the departments will be examined," Mr. Lynch said. Within each area, personnel, wage scales, benefits and management should be assessed, he said.
Mrs. Benza said an analysis of the benefits of home rule for the township also is needed. With home rule, the township could do more, such as charging impact fees on development.
That could tie into the eventual development of the former Geauga Lake Park properties.
Findings to keep residents updated should be published as they come in, along with a work session to invite the public to learn about the progress, according to trustees. One aspect of the audit would be a survey of residents.
Mrs. Benza said they want to make sure those doing the performance audit understand the limits of township government.
Mr. Lynch said they have to be able to say to residents that "we have operated as efficiently as possible" so when a levy is needed, it can be justified.
A performance audit will identify where the township can do things better, with less cost, he said.
A goal is to evaluate the township's tax-levy structure, according to Mr. Markley. "I would like to evaluate our revenue stream, knowing what our needs are and how does it fit in with serving the needs of residents."
The goal is to be as efficient as possible and that is under trustees' control if given guidance, he said.
"This is the tool to accomplish that," Mr. Lynch said. "The performance audit is going to identify the needs and how to operate more efficiently."
It also should analyze whether the township has the ability and authority to serve the needs of its citizens, Mr. Lynch said.
Trustees now will arrange a meeting with a representative of the state auditor's office when they have a general understanding of what they want, and have identified all areas to be reviewed, Mr. Markley said.
"We have to issue a letter saying we wish to engage the state auditor to do a performance audit," he said.
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