County to Get Report From Oversight Panel

Nearly 16 months after it was formed, a citizens committee examining ways to make county government more efficient and accountable had its last meeting Monday and plans to present a final report to the Board of Supervisors next month.

The Government Practices Oversight Committee, which consists of more than 20 business leaders, community activists and government officials, released preliminary findings last month that portrayed county government as needing reform.

The draft report, based on interviews with employees, politicians and people who do business with the county, found low staff morale and a feeling that some contracts seemed to be awarded unfairly.

It suggested that the county privatize more services, improve its technology and information systems and more clearly define the role of supervisors and other county officials.

Dave Kiff, a committee member and aide to Supervisor Marian Bergeson, said the volunteer group’s efforts represent a bargain for the county, considering that a consulting firm estimated it would cost more than $300,000 to do the same type of study.