Changes could save City of Montgomery millions of dollars

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WSF) – The City of Montgomery recently underwent an external performance review covering each of its departments and agencies as part of a plan to ensure accountability for the city’s time and funds, the city confirmed.

The audit was conducted by McConnell Jones and Banks, Finley, White and Company, a CPA firm specializing in auditing public entities and utilities.

The company reviewed 11 city agencies, as well as 60 recommendations for the city’s Building/Street Maintenance Inventory, highlighting the financial impact of needed changes.

These organizations included:

Armory Athletics (Parks and Recreation Area)
Armory Learning Arts Center (Venue within Cultural Affairs)
Building Maintenance Department
Building/Street Maintenance Inventory
Garrett Coliseum (Entrepreneurship Fund)
Fire/Rescue Department
Fleet Management Department
Multiplex (Parks and Recreation Area)
Park Management (division within the Montgomery Police Department)
Cleaning Department
Street Maintenance Department
Montgomery Zoo (Venture Fund)

The Performance evaluation can be found on the city’s website.

The CPA team found five general areas where the city had opportunities for improvement, including technology, planning, staffing, policies and procedures, and management reporting.

Among the findings were that city organizations need to acquire new technology or leverage existing technology, increase proper planning in key areas, work to fill vacant positions and replace retirement-eligible employees, and develop clear policies and procedures.

“McConnell Jones estimates that their proposal could save $2 million next year and $2 million to $3 million every year after that,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said. “This certainly shows the return on investment of doing good business and having good management.”

The city said the audit found the city could save about $11 million over five years, noting that the agencies reviewed were “already working to implement some of the recommendations.”

The city said most of the inspected entities have already taken steps to improve efficiency by updating to new software, improving scheduling processes and developing new policies and procedures. Making such changes will streamline processes and improve operations through greater efficiency, modernization and responsiveness.

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