CC boards accept efficiency study, pledge cooperation

Charles City’s Board of Supervisors and School Board have jointly agreed to accept and endorse results of an efficiency study that is to serve as a platform for the two boards to move forward in a spirit of cooperation.

Supervisors unanimously approved the DECIDESMART study while school board members approved it 4-0 during a joint meeting held Dec. 20. School board District 3 representative Martha Harris was absent due to illness.

Bill Bosher and Lane Ramsey of DECIDESMART presented study material and research conducted over the past several months involving the two boards. The evaluation critiqued 10 areas, as well as praised the areas where the boards have performed well.

Areas evaluated were central leadership, capital planning, economic development, space utilization, technology, maintenance, transportation, human resources, finance, and joint services. Ramsey addressed specifics of each during a 90-minute review. A list of recommendations followed each.

The study concept began in March 2012 with a subcommittee consisting of one supervisor and two school board members. Both boards agreed to proceed with the study in May and launched meetings to help address areas of concern and need that were hindering advancement of the boards.

Both boards received high praise for use of technology, as well as the structure and record keeping of financial information. But both boards were criticized in an array of areas as well. The school system was taken to task for its two-tier bus system while supervisors received criticism about a lack of standard operating procedures in county offices.

The $30,000 study provided insight to both boards. Some results covered concerns that individual board members had brought up in past meetings. Examples include school board chairman Steve Fuhrmann’s concern over long-term capital improvement planning and the projects that were listed in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan. Then there were District 2 Supervisor Bill Coada’s concerns over county departments lacking standing operating procedures.

After the presentation, both boards praised the review.

“I greatly appreciate your ideas and new recommendations,” said Coada. “These will go a long way to helping us with the county.”

“I appreciate the confirmation of what’s been said for many years,” added Fuhrmann.

District 1 supervisor Gilbert Smith said he was impressed by the hard work put into the project by the representatives of DECIDESMART.

“I have been to many retreats and haven’t come out with such detail as your group has given us,” he said.

Smith questioned if Ramsey’s group will be assisting with the setting of priorities to help maintain dialogue between the two boards.

“It is up to the boards to determine where to go from this point,” replied Ramsey.

“Our goal is to set up policies so no matter who comes and goes and that if and when conflicts come up, it can be resolved,” added Bosher.

Ramsey also commented that the process contains an ongoing time frame.

“Our list of recommendations won’t happen overnight,” he said. “Some may take several years down the road, but knowing what you all want to do and where to go will be beneficial for your success working together.”

Both boards agreed to set up dates for further evaluations.