In line with their election promises, the Jackson Township Council has initiated plans for a thorough audit aimed at enhancing the efficiency of all municipal departments. This plan is in line with the broader effort nationwide to cut wasteful spending in government.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn affirmed the council’s commitment to the audit, stating, “Promises made, promises kept. Our council candidates ran on a platform of fixing local government last year, and we are going to deliver on that promise.”
Kuhn said that many of the town’s operations have been operating the same way for decades, without a thorough review process.
“The process has been virtually unchanged for 20 years and we feel it’s time to get a fresh set of eyes on how our township operates,” Kuhn added. “The answer, ‘because we’ve always done it that way’, isn’t good enough.”
Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein emphasized the importance of the audit, particularly focusing on one of the larger departments.
“Efficiency is key here. We’re looking into how we can improve all departments. We want to make sure we are getting the most out of municipal government and getting what we paid for. One example that we are closely looking into is code enforcement. Jackson has the biggest code enforcement department in the area, yet we often don’t see the results to show for it. You can’t convince me that we can’t do a better job there.”
The audit will be conducted by an experienced firm with extensive municipal management experience. An RFP (Request for Proposal) will soon be issued to the public to find the most qualified firm to conduct the audit. Although the township engages in an annual financial audit by a third party, that yearly audit does not include performance or efficiency checks.
“I’m all for making our government leaner, smarter, and more accountable,” said Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri. “This is about cutting waste and making sure Jackson runs efficiently for our residents.”
The comprehensive audit will delve into various aspects including:
- Budgets: To ensure financial resources are utilized effectively.
- Process Management: To streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies.
- Staffing: To assess if the current workforce aligns with the needs of each department for peak performance.
- Efficiency: To identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance service delivery to the residents of Jackson Township.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Jackson Township Council to ensure that local governance operates at its maximum potential, delivering on the promises made to the community during last year’s elections.