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Putting Data into Practice
Panel Discussion
Michigan Local GovernmentMichigan Local Government
Benchmarking ConsortiumBenchmarking Consortium
Annual ConferenceAnnual Conference
December 8, 2011December 8, 2011
Putting Data into PracticePutting Data into Practice• Panelists: – Christian Wuerth, Assistant to the City Manager, City
of Birmingham– Jon R. Austin, City Manager, Madison Heights– Jerry Richards, Township Manager, Meridian
Township– John Schaut, Income Tax Administrator, City of Grand
Rapids• Moderator:– Dave Boerger, Director of Fiscal Consulting Services,
SEMCOG
Christian WuerthChristian WuerthAssistant to the City Manager
Birmingham
Using Data to Improve PerformanceI. Simple is good: Focus on 2-3 performance
measures each year.II. Highlight successes, not just areas in need of
improvement.III. Data itself doesn't give you answers, it only
helps you ask the right questions to the right people.
Jon AustinJon AustinCity Manager – Madison Heights
Using Data to Improve Communication and Decision MakingI. EVIP Requirement
A. Communicate to the PublicB. Simplify the MessageC. Reduce Duplication
II. Decision Making through Budget DevelopmentA. Prioritizing ProgramsB. Translate DataC. GFOA Budget Criteria
III. Support Labor NegotiationsA. Identify ProblemsB. Research the CauseC. Develop Labor Proposals & Strategy
Jerry RichardsJerry RichardsManager – Meridian Township
Using Data to Determine Staffing Levels I.Pressure to reduce staffing to cut costs and balance the budgetII.Experience with benchmarking pointed to the use of dataIII.Using outside consultant was not affordable, nor politically acceptableIV.Police and Fire administrators did in-house analysesV.Challenges
A. Paper filesB. Inconsistent reporting C. Defining the data elementsD. Changing circumstancesE. Comparing to other communitiesF. Staff buy inG. Volume of information
VI.BenefitsA. More in-depth understanding of the operationsB. Provided clear direction for budget recommendationsC. Gained union buy in for proposed changesD. Made changes to the operation for better reporting in the future
John SchautJohn SchautIncome Tax Administrator
Grand RapidsI. Collaboration – Income tax collection process II. Grand Rapids, Flint & LansingIII. State EVIP grant provided to fund the up-front costsIV. Goal: Automated processing of returnsV. Leveraging private sector technologies – JPM ChaseVI. Allows more focus on complianceVII. Use of performance measures & benchmarksVIII. Best practices
Contact InformationContact Information
Christian Wuerth - 151 Martin St., Birmingham, MI [email protected] 248.530.1807
Jon Austin – 300 West Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, MI [email protected] 248-583-0829
Jerry Richards – 5151 Marsh Rd, Okemos MI [email protected] 517-853-4000
John Schaut – 300 Monroe Ave. NW, STE 380, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 [email protected] 616-456-3415
Dave Boerger – 535 Griswold, Ste 300, Detroit, MI [email protected] 248-875-7120
