Iowa Issues its DOGE Report

The Iowa Department of Government Efficiency Task Force recently issued its Final Report. Here are the key areas that directly affect city and county governments:

1. Local Government Enablement (Leveraging Technology Working Group)

This section focuses on empowering local governments through shared services and technology:

  • Shared State Technology Platforms: Counties and cities can reduce costs and improve service by adopting state-vetted platforms for payments, digital forms, and document management.
  • AI Incorporation: The state should make available to local governments a catalog of pre-approved AI tools and best practices for local governments to use in operations like document processing, fraud detection, and citizen engagement.
  • Consolidated Accounting Systems: The state should create a statewide financial system for local governments to replace fragmented and costly software to benefit small towns.
  • Legislative Mandates for Standards: To reduce duplication and improve consistency uniform standards across counties and cities should be adopted for processes like accounting, cybersecurity, and emergency communications.

2. Shared Government Service Delivery at the Local Level (Return on Taxpayer Investment Working Group)

This working group proposes structural reforms to local government operations:

  • Independent Cities: Municipalities with populations over 50,000 could consolidate city and county services into a single government entity, pending voter approval.
  • Local Government Efficiency Grant Program: The state should provide funding and technical support for cities and counties to collaborate on shared services or mergers.
  • Regionalization of State Services: Certain services currently delivered by counties (e.g., public health, emergency management) could be shifted to state-managed regional models.
  • Merger of County Treasurer and Recorder Offices: Counties should combine these offices to streamline property-related services and reduce administrative overhead.
  • Magistrate Apportionment Reform: Magistrate positions should be allocated based on caseloads rather than geography, allowing counties to share resources and reduce costs.

3. IT Procurement Reform (Leveraging Technology Working Group)

Impacts local governments by:

  • Cooperative Purchasing Portal: Local governments should have access to state-negotiated contracts for IT and other services, reducing procurement costs and administrative burden.
  • Cloud Strategy: Local entities should adopt shared cloud infrastructure and security standards.

4. Citizen Experience Improvements

The working group proposes these improvements to local governments:

  • Unified Online Portal: Citizens could access services across agencies (including local ones) via a single sign-on system.
  • Public Notice Portal: Local governments would post required notices on a centralized state-run website, reducing reliance on costly newspaper ads.

 

The report addressed a number of other subjects that tangentially touched on areas affecting local governments.  You can find the full report at www.governor.iowa.gov

 Where does this report go from here? There are a number of good ideas that deserve attention rather than the dustbin. But will election year politics, the lame duck status of the Governor, and property tax reform push these reforms to the side?