BREA : Consultant Hired to Analyze City

In an effort to streamline city operations, the City Council has hired a consultant to conduct a performance and organizational audit of the city’s various departments, starting with police.

The council’s action last week is not expected to result in immediate overhaul of city operations, but officials say it will give them a clearer picture of how to be more efficient, save money and provide better services for the community in the face of budget cuts.

Ralph Andersen & Associates, a Sacramento-based consulting firm, was picked from 10 consultants who submitted proposals. It will be paid $40,000 for the police services audit, with the money coming from drug asset seizure funds, officials said.

The audit will take from 14 to 16 weeks, with Tim O’Donnell, the assistant city manager, serving as project manager and liaison between the city and the consultant, City Manager Frank Benest said.

“The review does not mean to imply any deficiency in our operations. Rather, it is designed to identify opportunities for improvement,” Benest said.

The Police Department provides services for the city of Yorba Linda. The department serves a total population of about 90,000 people, with 12 on its administrative staff, 38 civilian employees and 82 officers. For the current fiscal year, the budget is $11 million.

According to an audit plan approved by the council, department employees will be surveyed and interviewed, some in the course of their work, such as police officers on patrol. The consultants would also meet with the members of the Police Assn., if the city wants it.

A final report, including recommendations, will be submitted at the end of the audit.