FREEHOLD – As promised, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has hired a company to work with some 60 department heads to develop a vision statement for county operations and detailed, measurable goals for the delivery of services.

 

“This is the perfect follow-up to our 2008 budget that contained a zero tax increase,” Freeholder Deputy Director Robert D. Clifton said. “We are hopeful that a strategic plan will improve county services and also identify additional efficiencies that can be achieved.”

 

The development of a strategic plan for county operations was recommended in a report issued last year by the county’s bipartisan Budget Review Committee. Several other recommendations by the committee have already been implemented.

 

Last night, the Board awarded a 12-month contract worth $120,000 to Janus Solutions of Hopewell Township. The award was based on a number of criteria, including price, quality of experience, technical capabilities to perform the project, qualifications of key personnel, approach to the project and previous performance. Janus submitted the lowest-priced proposal.

 

County Administrator Robert M. Czech said Janus Solutions scored the highest on an independent evaluation of all seven proposals that were received, primarily due to its detailed approach toward gathering information to be evaluated and incorporated into the plan. “The fact that they were the lower cost was a bonus, because we were impressed with their approach to the project,” he said.

 

The strategic plan will be developed as Monmouth University’s business department embarks on an IT audit. As part of their course work, students will be examining the county’s computer systems with an eye toward increasing productivity and lowering costs. The work, being done at no cost to the county, will include the development of an integrated information technology plan.

 

“The IT audit and strategic plan will go a long way toward helping the county continue to maximize its resources to provide savings for taxpayers into the future,” Clifton said. “Implementation of these plans will also boost taxpayer confidence in Monmouth County government.”

 

 

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