Date of Award
Fall 2007
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Abstract
The most recent recession has left government agencies in California looking for creative ways to maximize their budgets. There are several fiscal challenges that have contributed greatly to this significant downturn. Proposition 13 in the late 1970's limited local government's ability to increase property taxes, State takeaway of property taxes, the escalating cost of pension and health care benefits and growing need to fix aging infrastructure. It is not uncommon to hear about public agencies cutting resources and staff to stay within budget leaving executive managers the task of recreating their business processes to maintain similar levels of services that their communities are accustomed to receiving.
The City of Palo Alto is no exception; it is difficult to continue providing similar levels of service when revenues are not keeping up with expenditures. This paper will discuss potential opportunities for the City of Palo Alto to realize efficiencies in utilities payment processing by comparing other public agencies including their use of technological tools and the contracting out of payment processing services. The process will include conducting a survey of other public sector agencies to determine if they process payments in-house or outsource, measuring the number of utilities and volume processed, staffing levels, and identifying efficiencies experienced. The research will also include interviews with Revenue Collections staff to obtain their observations and ideas on adding efficiencies or tools to assist in the process. The research will include a financial analysis including reviewing prior year program expenses and estimated future costs.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Lalo, "Implementing New Technologies to Reduce Operating Costs in the City of Palo Alto: An Exploratory Study" (2007). EMPA Capstones. 261.
https://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/capstones/261