LaPorte County councilors seek outside efficiency study, direct staff to vet firms

LaPorte County councilors at a workshop on Oct. 27 directed staff to solicit proposals from outside firms for a countywide efficiency study and to return with sample work, peer references and a recommendation to the council in November.

The discussion centered on where an independent review could yield savings — from procurement practices and contracted services to IT equipment, vehicle fleets and staffing structures — and on how to set a scope that balances cost and depth. Auditor Rosebaum said the county now has a list of six potential firms and that some prior vendor estimates were high: "this is a could be an efficiency study. It can be a very costly report," she said, noting a previous Baker Tilly engagement had been estimated at more than $200,000 for only part of the county.

Why it matters: Council members said personnel costs dominate the county budget and that even small percentage changes in large budget lines can have meaningful results. "The majority of our general fund budget goes towards salaries, personal…