Dr. Mark Hartley Presents Findings
Charleston County Management, Accountability and Performance Commission

January 10, 2006 – Dr. Mark Hartley is an Associate Professor in of the College of Charleston’s Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management. He addressed today’s Rotary to summarize the results of the work of the MAP commission which was created by the Charleston County Council in January 2004. The commission was modeled after a state-wide initiative formed by Governor Mark Sanford. The commission was charged with the responsibility for examining the processes, procedures, structure, performance, and systems under which our county government operates and then to make recommendations about ways “to improve efficiency, effectiveness, resource management, and responsiveness in the community.” (MAP final report, p. 17). Dr. Hartley had served as a representative on the state commission and served as chairman of the Charleston commission.

The bi-partisan group consisted of 12 members, 9 of which were chosen each by a member on county council with four “at-large” members. Dr. Hartley made it clear that the commission’s work was not to find problems or point fingers. Rather, it’s intent was to conduct a methodical and precise assessment of facts and information and determine what is being done well and what could be improved upon.

Information was gathered from a variety of resources. The commission elicited information from the administration, department heads, staff and employees and through a survey of citizens. The commission also looked at best practices in business as well as local governments. They divided their work into seven task forces, each focusing on one government sector: Government Organization and Structure, Human Resources, Public Safety, Transportation/Public Works, Budgeting, Finance & Accounting, Procurement, Outsourcing, and Privatization, and Facilities & Capital Asset Management.

The commission came up with 6-12 recommendations within each section and the report in it’s entirety can be found at the Charleston Country web site. Undoubtedly, everyone can find numerous suggestions they might heartily support.

A very small sample of the kind of suggestions and recommendations that characterize the 12-member commission’s report are provided below-one for each of the seven sectors:
1. The position of Chairman of County Council should be decided by vote of countywide citizenry.
2. The commission suggests that a merit pay system, comprehensive talent management program and recruiting of a more diverse workforce would do much to address the workforce needs facing the county.
3. There should be greater cooperation and collaboration between the public safety agencies as a means of reducing the number of overlaps and duplicated work which currently exist between Charleston county and other taxing entities and/or municipalities.
4. Fleet operations in transportation might benefit from becoming accredited and joining the South Carolina Commercial Vendor Repair Program and that the transportation sales tax should be used to support road and drainage projects.
5. The commission called for reform of the budget process.
6. Streamline the procurement process and wit one purpose being to make it easier for minority-owned businesses to access opportunities to do business with the county.

This report can be accessed by going to www.charlestoncounty.org. Click on “what’s new” on the home page and then scroll down to the bottom entry, “Charleston Country MAP Commission Final Report”.

Submitted by Helen R. Harloe, Keyway Committee