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Alameda County board directs staff to pursue countywide efficiency review with Public Works LLC
Summary
After a presentation from Public Works LLC promising recurring operational savings of at least 5%, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue contracting options — including CMAS/sole‑source pathways — and to consult the auditor and labor before returning with a contract.
Alameda County supervisors voted to direct county staff to pursue a contract to conduct an organizational efficiency review after a presentation from Public Works LLC that said properly conducted reviews typically find conservative, recurring savings of at least 5 percent.
Public Works LLC president Eric Schnur told the board the firm uses senior public‑sector staff rather than algorithmic automation and focuses on operational improvements rather than one‑time asset sales. "A properly done efficiency review will find 5% of your operations in savings," Schnur said, adding that many of the savings are recurring and operational.
Board members said the county needs to move carefully but with urgency. President Halbert said the county's fiscal exposure to changes in federal funding makes identifying savings a priority. Supervisor Miley urged an expedited procurement, including pursuit of a sole‑source waiver or using the state's CMAS list to move quickly. "The sooner we do it, the sooner we get the savings," President Halbert said.
Several supervisors stressed due diligence: Supervisor Marquez asked GSA to evaluate the CMAS list and to keep the process competitive where appropriate, and Supervisor Tam urged involvement from the elected auditor‑controller's office to ensure independence where appropriate. Supervisor Fortunato Bass asked for references and contact with jurisdictions that have realized similar savings and asked staff to identify potential funding sources for the contract.
County staff and the presenter described a 6–8 month engagement timeline with initial "toll gates" at one‑third and two‑thirds completion, and indicated early deliverables at about two months. The board directed GSA, in consultation with county counsel and the CAO, to validate claimed savings with peer jurisdictions and labor, and to return with procurement language and recommended funding sources. The roll call on the motion recorded four yes votes and one abstention from Supervisor Tam on procedural grounds.
The board did not approve a final contract at the meeting; it provided direction to staff to pursue contract development and return with a procurement recommendation and contract for a subsequent vote.
