JUNE 14, 2007, FARMINGVILLE, NY—Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley announced at a Town Board work session today that in its initial year his innovative ServiceStat management system greatly improved service for Brookhaven Town residents and saved millions of dollars in taxpayer money. The Supervisor hailed the planned expansion of the groundbreaking program into other Town programs in the coming year.

   “ServiceStat provides a foundation upon which our good government reforms are solidly based,” said Supervisor Foley. “Through ServiceStat, we relentlessly analyze Town operations to improve performance and productivity, save taxpayer dollars, and demand accountability. We set measurable goals with Town departments and insist on results.

   “Our motto is ‘If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it’ and our residents are reaping the benefits—improved services and saving taxpayer dollars.”

   ServiceStat was introduced to Brookhaven Town in May of 2006, after Supervisor Foley, Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld, members of the Supervisor’s staff and other Town Board members undertook a review of other municipalities with similar approaches in place. The program was launched with four town departments—Waste Management, Street Lighting, Building and Parks.

   “This management process, based on the program that has proven so successful in Baltimore, enables our Town departments to collect information on and evaluate the performance of a wide variety of functions and concerns, from code violations to litter complaints, from broken street lights to park programs,” said Councilman Fiore-Rosenfeld. “The savings and improved service we have seen already have been impressive and that will only increase as we expand the program in the coming year.”

   “This is just another example of the Foley administration implementing superior management practices, improving services, making Town government work better for the people of Brookhaven, and saving millions of taxpayer dollars in the process,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert.
ServiceStat is based on four tenets:
          --Accurate and timely data and information shared by all participants.
          --Development of effective strategies and tactics to address problems.
          --Rapid deployment of resources to address identified problems.
          --Relentless follow-up and assessment.
   Each ServiceStat session is attended by the Department Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, as well as representatives from the Supervisor’s office, and the Town Attorney, Personnel and Finance Departments. Prior to each session, data provided by the department is analyzed by a ServiceStat staff member and compiled for presentation.

   Commissioners are questioned about department performance, emerging trends and strategies for improvement. Department staff members meet to review goals and compile data, which is supplied to analysts three or four days prior to the next briefing session.

   The results have been dramatic.
   In the Building Department, wait times for residents were reduced by more than 50 percent, to an average of 10 minutes. Now, 80 percent of residents receive service in less than 15 minutes. Permits, registrations and violations issued all increased substantially: Accessory apartment registrations were up 94 percent, rental registrations were up 32 percent and violations issued were up 44 percent. As a result, revenues jumped.

   In the Parks Department, 2006 overtime and outside contractor costs were cut $650,000 compared to 2005. Work order tracking and purchase requisition tracking were instituted. For the first time in town history, parks were inventoried. A Parks Inspection program evaluated the condition of parks. A long-range capital program to address the extensive needs of the long neglected town park system was launched.

   In the Street Lighting Division, using town employees rather than outside contractors saved $321,000. An examination of LIPA bills saved $57,000. The time needed to repair a street light went from 24.5 days in 2005 to 7.5 days in 2006, a 70 percent decrease.

   In the Waste Management Department, litter complaints were reduced by 44 percent due to more efficient deployment of clean-up crews. Focus on litter issues led to the creation of the Town’s new anti-litter task force. Carter complaints were reduced by 36 percent.

   “Brookhaven Town is in a state of reform and ServiceStat is a critical tool in that continuing effort,” said Supervisor Foley. “One year in, ServiceStat is showing real results and providing our managers with the information we need to make smart decisions, improve services and save taxpayer dollars. With the expansion of the program in the coming year, Brookhaven Town residents can expect to see much more in terms of better service and cost savings.”

Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677