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Introduction <br /> This report has been prepared in response to the City Council's request for a review of <br /> i, <br /> ~ the Road Fund to fmd opportunities for improved efficiency. The investigation <br /> conducted to prepare this report was not a time and motion study of the various activities <br /> j in the road fund. Rather it is a management level analysis of the various functions based <br /> on interviews with key employees, review of budgets and reports and comparisons with <br /> ~ other comparable cities. Areas of potential improvements have been identified for further <br /> staff review. Therefore, there was no attempt to quantify specific dollar amounts that <br /> might be associated with potential efficiencies. <br /> I <br /> i <br /> <br /> ~ .Purpose of Report <br /> The purpose of this report is to match closely the Council motion asking to return to the <br /> Budget Subcommittee on Transportation Finance by September 30, 2001, with a <br /> comprehensive analysis of the operation and maintenance (O&M) services provided <br /> . through city road funds. <br /> The analysis evaluates opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in providing <br /> services that include administration, general street maintenance, street trees, street <br /> lighting, signals, striping, sidewalks, etc. In addition, the evaluation will consider <br /> potential methods. of achieving greater economy such as contracting for services. <br /> .Efficiency vs. Service Levels <br /> The council motion recognizes that there is a relationship between efficiency and <br /> effectiveness. Doing any job efficiently isn't effective if it's the wrong job or if doing it <br /> more efficiently takes resources from other more important work. In addition, if <br /> efficiency is defined as reduced cost and that cost reduction is achieved by lowering <br /> service levels, that is probably not what was intended. <br /> Before getting into a detailed efficiency review of road fund operations, therefore, we <br /> should stop and look at how all of this fits together with service levels, community values <br /> :and measurement of desirable outcomes. <br /> 4 <br /> <br />