Cleaning up a hodge-podge of maintenance responsibilities could save money and improve service for Independence Township.
To find out how much, Township Board approved up to $3,000 to Carlisle/Wortman & Associates.
“Over the years, township maintenance functions have been spread over 3-4 departments as well as privately contracted,? said Dick Carlisle, planning consultant, at the Feb. 17 board meeting. ‘It is likely there were a number of things that could be done to improve upon service delivery.?
Carlisle has three alternatives, the first alternative to assemble a committee of
local volunteers with business management backgrounds.
‘The intent of this approach would be to rely upon the business expertise of individuals to create a more efficient delivery system of maintenance services,? said Carlisle. ‘The advantage of this approach is the ability to tap into local knowledge base and receive expert advice in a low or no cost manner.?
The second alternative would be to hire consultants.
‘While the cost would certainly be greater than a volunteer effort, it would probably be done in a more rapid manner,? he said. “Further I think the financial analysis that comes from this is essential, and I am not sure a volunteer committee can perform this aspect.
The third alternative would be a combination. The board would appoint an independent volunteer committee, but still rely upon consultants for the evaluation.
‘While the third approach would be as costly as alternative two, results may be more timely and cost effective,? said Carlisle.
Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen was on board for alternative number three.
‘We’d have input from the community and we also have an expert there to guide us and I think by doing that we would depoliticize it because obviously there are some people that are concerned about this and the ramifications,? she said. ‘I think it’s a wonderful way for the township to ultimately save some money.?
Treasurer Curt Carson liked the concept and approach of alternative three, but said he would need to know cost before making a decision.
Trustee Neil Wallace also said he was a ‘third alternative guy all the way,? but disagreed with the need for a consultant.
‘I think that we have the kind of talented people in this community who have those kind of credentials,? Wallace said. ‘I think it should be a total board effort to be nominating people who come in here with really solid resumes.?
He also felt it was important to take it ‘beyond mere facilities maintenance.?
Supervisor Dave Wagner agreed.
‘I believe when I talked with Mr. Carlisle, I knew that there were a lot of issues out there, but this was a first step,? said Wagner. ‘This was probably one of the quickest things that we could get into to really show some results out of.?
Trustee David Lohmeier agreed with Wallace, the township is not short on talented individuals.
‘We could put five or six people together that would not only have the skill set and talent to do this, but would generally be passionate about it,? he said. ‘I don’t think we’ll be hard pressed to find some volunteers.?
To do the initial work, Carlisle said he would like to look at some similar studies, which have been done by Oakland County through a program that County Executive L. Brooks Patterson established years
ago.
‘I would like to get an idea of the scope of some that work and the cost of that,? said Carlisle.