Community development leaders face increasingly complex challenges, from staffing shortages and outdated systems to rising demand for faster, more transparent service. That’s why we partner with local governments to improve planning, permitting, code compliance, housing, and economic development services. Our team brings practical experience and proven strategies to support technology upgrades, improve customer service, and align operations with your community’s goals. We’re here to help you build trust, deliver results, and make lasting improvements.
Our diverse team of consultants have professional backgrounds in government community development roles, public sector boards and commissions, geographic information systems, and information technology.
How we can help
- Efficiency studies and operational audits. Do you need a health check for your organization? Our studies identify inefficiencies and unneeded excess, often uncovering savings that return our client’s investment, far exceeding the cost of your health check. We identify and calibrate performance metrics, redesign processes, and optimize resources to support faster processing times and lower operating costs.
- Customer service improvement projects. Are you looking to improve public trust in your organization? We help local governments improve their citizen experience through faster response times, streamlined inquiries, and more efficient service delivery. Our support spans both process and technology initiatives — from customer service analyses to implementing tools like 311 systems and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. Our consultants work with you to reduce complaint resolution times, leading to happier residents, higher compliance, and stronger public confidence.
- Process mapping and improvement projects. Do your processes need improvement but aren’t sure where to begin? Understanding your workflow is the first step toward meaningful change. We help local governments visualize their processes to uncover bottlenecks, duplications, and quick wins. Cross-departmental process mapping workshops can lead to faster approvals and reduced backlogs. By applying LEAN and Six Sigma manufacturing methods, many jurisdictions have cut permitting times in half and developed digital tools that enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
- Fee studies and cost recovery analysis. Do your current fees fully cover the cost of the services you provide? We help local governments establish fair fee structures that reflect the true cost of service delivery. This approach aligns revenue with service levels, ensuring that those who use services are fairly contributing to the true cost of service delivery. Updated fees also promote statutory compliance and transparency. These studies result in proper cost recovery and organizational stability in terms of consistent staffing and service delivery.
- Technology and process optimization. Do you want to improve efficiency, transparency, and user experience for both customers and staff? Aligning the right technology with your processes and service goals is essential for delivering consistent and responsive service. We help local governments assess their needs to optimize or replace land management systems and effectively integrate related technologies including ERP, GIS, EAM/CMMS, and 311 platforms to streamline permitting, inspections, and code enforcement.
- Our team guides you through:
- Process redesign
- Vendor evaluation
- System modernization
- We tailor our support to meet your technology goals and help you deliver services more effectively.
- Our team guides you through:
- Organizational staffing analysis and reorganization strategies. Are you looking to optimize your staffing or organizational structure to improve service delivery? Our analysis identifies overlapping roles, streamlines operations, and enhances coordination across teams. By reducing silos and simplifying workflows, agencies can make faster decisions, reduce costs, and reinvest in community priorities. These efforts lead to clearer communication, stronger performance, and a structure aligned with today’s needs.
- Implementation advisory services. Are you expecting to fully realize the value of your technology and operational improvements? Whether we’ve supported you in designing a new process or identifying additional service or technology needs, our team provides hands-on implementation support through:
- Staff training
- System optimization
- Development of practical tools
- Change management guidance
- Communications planning
- Policy and procedure drafting
- Coaching and stakeholder engagement
Our goal is to make change effective and responsive to benefit the citizens you serve.
Contact us to get started
- Christopher Blough, MPA, PMP (Christopher.Blough@plantemoran.com)
- Scott Patton, MPA (Scott.Patton@plantemoran.com)
- Deepak Agarwal (Deepak.Agarwal@plantemoran.com)
- Caroline Glass, AICP (Caroline.Glass@plantemoran.com)
- Jamie Olsen, PMP (Jamie.Olsen@plantemoran.com)