PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR GOVERNMENTS FACING PLANNING AND SCHEDULING PROBLEMS

One of 5 booklets summarizing 18 HUD - sponsored capacity - building and sharing projects, this report describes practical ideas for local governments facing planning and scheduling problems. The ideas are workable and have been used for a sufficient period of time to determine results. They include an energy conservation program developed by the South Georgia Consortium without the use of an outside consultant and a centralized purchasing system entailing format purchase requisitions, purchase orders, a bid policy and procedure, a standardized filing system, inventory control, standardized specifications for those items used by several departments, and a recommended price list for common purchases. The Consortium also developed a system for improving personnel management without adding a separate department. Rhode Island's local governments created performance measures and a cost allocation method for local needs. This method can help select performance targets, and choose level of effort to build a data collection system for helping with resource allocation and other management decisionmaking. Wichita, Kan., has formulated a system for budgeting and managing community development funds, including block grant funds, and has documented its experience in a ''how to do it'' handbook. Finally, Salem, Oreg., has established a centralized permit and licensing facility that uses standardized forms for accounting (freeing 2.5 clerks for other duties and making it possible for Oregon residents to obtain a license in 2 to 3 days), and Anaheim, Calif., has come up with a method for planning and scheduling large street and road projects while avoiding the costs of purchasing a computer and retaining a permanent staff. General information on the key elements and implementation of these ideas are provided as well as some cost data. Ordering information for project booklets is included.

• Corporate Authors:

  Department of Housing and Urban Development

  Assistant Secretary for Policy Development & Research
  Washington, DC  United States  20410
• Publication Date: 1979-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accounting; Administration; Budgeting; City planning; Costs; Data collection; Energy conservation; Finance; Licenses; Local government; Personnel management; Planning; Problem solving; Purchasing; Roads; Scheduling; Streets; Urban areas
• Uncontrolled Terms: Financial management
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Energy; Environment; Finance; Freight Transportation; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00312682
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: HUD-0000782, Summary Report
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 2002 12:00AM