Saving Money by Saving Space

Independent candidate for Cuyahoga County Executive Ken Lanci says as soon as he’s elected he’ll call for a comprehensive review of how the county uses its space. Lanci is proposing more cost savings measures to complement his previous plans to save taxpayer dollars in procurement.

“It will be 10 years since the last space survey. The county has purchased three more buildings, rents office space and owns many buildings,” Lanci said. “The people demand an end to politics as usual and waste in government and this needs to be addressed.”

“With 15 percent fewer employees, and possibly fewer after merging several large offices of county government, the people deserve the most efficient and effective government. Therefore we need to conduct a space utilization survey not focused on square footage, but on functionality,” said Lanci, a 40-year turnaround expert and first-time candidate for Cuyahoga County office.

“We must evaluate every building the county owns and place as many employees in county-owned buildings before we rent any more space. The people are watching and we need to conduct business much more efficiently and with a strong eye towards saving money,” Lanci insisted.

“Out of three choices recently recommended by the county’s transition advisory group for new Cuyahoga County council chambers, I supported the proposed million dollar upgrade to the justice center. However, after finishing my own research, I have come up with what I feel is a better solution,” said Lanci. 

The Independent candidate believes the one thing the county should rent is Cleveland’s City Council chambers for meetings for one year while the space utilization survey is completed. Lanci has heard others have approached city leaders regarding this issue and have been denied. He believes the idea should be revisited.

“I recommend the Cuyahoga County council members be provided with computers, fax machines and phone lines to work from their homes. They would share assistants and be able to use shared office space in a county building when necessary,” offered Lanci. “Once the survey is complete, then we should proceed with a permanent plan.”

Lanci’s space utilization plan will assess current and future needs of the county, including the role of technology, in doing the people’s business. “Only with an updated, thorough and comprehensive approach can the county serve the needs of the people while saving money,” concluded Lanci.

Read about Ken Lanci's latest proposals HERE.

Saving Money by Saving Space Proposal

A Blueprint for Cost Savings and Efficiency -  Space Utilization Survey for Tomorrow’s Needs

With fewer employees and more space, Cuyahoga County has an opportunity to save money through the efficient use of its existing buildings, moving employees into buildings owned by the county thereby reducing the number of leases, and making more effective use of its existing space.

Space Utilization Needed, Not Just Square Footage

Previous surveys of space have focuses on square footage and not actual utilization of space.  Ken Lanci’s business mind knows this is the wrong approach.  He knows that a true utilization study needs to take place in order to assure the appropriate needs of County Government.

The last meaningful survey was conducted in 2001, and again, focused on square footage.  Since that time, more than 2,300 fewer people work for the county, which is a 15% reduction in workforce.  County Commissioners have added two large buildings to the county’s holdings, The Marion Building and Courthouse Square in downtown Cleveland.  Of course, the county also now owns the Cleveland Trust-AmeriTrust Building at E. 9^th and Euclid Avenues in downtown Cleveland.  We now have much more office space, and fewer people to fill that space.

Now Is the Time to Act

The change in county government is the perfect time to act.  Fewer employees, more space, defunct agencies, and new combined agencies provide new thinking for the county’s assets.  Ken Lanci will take the following steps to save money and create efficient operating areas for county workers:

      1. Upon election, conduct an immediate space utilization audit of all the spaces that county          government owns or rents.  This audit will include provisions to maximize current space within buildings owned by the county, and assure that publicly owned buildings are full.

      2. Assure future needs assessment, so as to be proactive about needs of county agencies into the future, without wasting tax dollars.

      3. Close underutilized facilities, like the Auditor’s satellite offices.  County employees should be under several roofs, not spread out all across the area.

      4. Get the county out from under rent arrangements that are not favorable to taxpayers, and not needed by the county.  The taxpayers own buildings that are not thoroughly utilized, and this can recognize immediate costs savings.

      5.  Make determination to sell county assets that are no longer strategic, but only when the real estate market is right, and for fair market value.  Forcing sales of property in a bad market only adds to the county’s problems.  The County should actively market these buildings and get their full value for them.

Save One Million Dollars on Council Chambers

 Instead of renovating the Justice Center to accommodate the new County Council Chambers, Cuyahoga County should enter into a contract with The City of Cleveland to rent the City Hall Council Chambers for County Council Meetings.  Cleveland City Hall is a jewel of a building, and a very appropriate setting for Council Chambers.  It has committee rooms and is very conducive to government business.  A fair rental agreement can benefit both The City of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga.

Space Usage for County Council

County Council, as defined by the charter, is a part time position.  These important positions do have office and staff needs.  Candidate Ken Lanci proposes the following with respect to the new County Council needs:

      1.  Home or Private Work Office space with computer, fax machine, phone line, and allowance for supplies.

      2.  Shared assistants, with each Council Member sharing an assistant with two other council members, and the Clerk of Council working full time for the Council President.

      3.   Shared office space in a county building, until the space utilization survey is completed.

       Lanci points out most legislative authorities do not have full office space for part time Council Members.  Most city councils in Cuyahoga County provide similar space.

Conclusion

Millions of dollars can be saved by an updated and apples to apples comparison of space utilization in the post 2010 world of county government.  With 15% less staff and thousands of additional feet of office area since the last space research was conducted, taxpayers can benefit greatly.  The county can get out of leases that no longer make sense, sell off assets that are no longer strategic, and accommodate its workforce in a solid work environment.  The county can save money by not building new council chambers, but renting Cleveland’s in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

CampaignNews