Why Do Local Governments Use the Management Services Program?

Many local governments face the challenge of attempting to be all things to all people. Often local government managers and staff are asked to make a recommendation about a complex issue of public administration that is not their area of specialty. That issue may involve compensation, financial management, general public administration practices, or especially a comparison of what other local governments are doing to address this issue. The issue could require some specific knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (OTETA) or a host of other Federal and state laws. With limited staff resources, finding the answer to that question often means spending more time looking for potential answers than delivering a needed service.

The management services program at the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments provides an additional resource to managers and staff trying to answer the unusual and complex questions of public administration. The management services staff truly are extensions of local government staff and available for consultation and technical assistance. The assistance can be as informal as an e-mail written in response to a telephone call from a County Manager or as formal as presentation to a City Council reporting on a comprehensive management study of the entire organization.