Agenda - 06-19-2001-9e - Laserfiche WebLink

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accomplished and how the infrastructure is supporting County communications and to include assessment of communications among departments. 3. Transportation, Focus Area To go forward with the Orange County government transportation focus area study in terms of seeking to incorporate this in the planned transportation study already under discussion that involves the task farce of Commissioners Gordon and Jacobs, County Manager John Link and Department on Aging Director Jerry Passmore. 4. Other Focus Areas To hold off on the study of the passible other three focus areas (Parks/Open Space/ Conservation, Services to the Elderly and Solid Waste) pending receipt of the survey information on other organizational studies. In terms of seeking a consultant, it was planned to explore first with the Institute of Government (IOG) its services and the possibility of the IOG providing the consultant. In follow up to the April 16 work session, staff has discussed with the IOG the study needs and plan. The IOG has provided a proposal for the services it could provide in completing a Phase 1 response to the Board of Commissioners' assessment objectives. Attached is the IOG proposal far services. The principal consultant completing the work would be IOG staff member Kevin FitzGerald. The attachment includes Mr. FitzGerald's resume. In summary, the IOG proposal provides for Phase 1 work to include: • Survey of organizational studies completed by the five organizations named in Item 1 above (OWASA, City of Winston-Salem, Town of Chapel Hill, Triangle J Council of Governments and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners) and written report of findings. • Communications review including: / Gaining understanding of the interests of the County leadership in terms of improving the communications functions, through interviews with County Commissioners, County Manager, Clerk to the Board, Information Specialist, Management Analyst and selected department heads. / Reviewing the present County organization of communications functions and communications practices. / Comparing the Orange County,communications organization and practices with benchmark organizations, including the counties of Buncombe, Catawba, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford and New Hanover and the Towns of Cary, Hickory and Salisbury. / Evaluation of Orange County publications, including web publications, for readability and effectiveness. / Evaluation of Orange County's use of Internet technology to accomplish communications functions.