The task force created last spring has made 135 recommendations to reduce costs and improve services in four departments. Jackson says some would require charter amendments and city council approval. Suggestions changes include things like cooperative agreements with neighboring cities, sharing of personnel between departments, and technology upgrades. Bill Denihan heads the County Mental Health Board and is a member of the task force. He says Cleveland is behind today's technology.
Bill Denihan: We need to be ahead of the technology, or with technology, instead of a decade or a generation or two behind, so all that reduces back to cost and efficiency.
Mayor Jackson says he expects 100 of the recommendations to be implemented this year. Phase two of the efficiency initiative will begin in March.