[ad_1]
Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) released a report Monday with dozens of recommendations for reforming the state agency, which has more than 1,000 employees.
Some of the recommendations put together by her transition team, Lierman said during her campaign last year, include improving customer service, creating a new website and increasing diversity participation for small and minority businesses.
Lierman’s transition team, led by Democratic honorary co-chairs former Comptroller Peter Frankhot, Secretary of State Susan Lee and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsbrooks, focused on six topics in a 45-page report: information and innovation, tax administration and customer engagement, retirement Allowance and investment, procurement and public works board, local government participation and public participation.
“The transition team’s report represents a new starting point for our agency,” Lehrman said in a statement. “As Maryland’s 34th comptroller, I am committed to working with the new executive leadership team, all comptroller staff and partners across the state to think about how the comptroller’s office can build fairer, stronger and more prosperous communities.”
The report outlines several challenges facing the agency.
For example, some information technology headquarters They have been using programming languages since 1959. One recommendation is for the office to centralize all technology functions in an office led by a chief information officer.
Another challenge for the comptroller’s office, identified in the report, is concerns about the agency’s transparency and accessibility. A few ideas to improve the “taxpayer experience” include creating a Taxpayer Services Unit to handle general tax issues and actively engage with residents. In addition, the transition team proposed to streamline payment processes and provide “relief” programs for residents who need short-term or long-term payment options and those experiencing financial difficulties.
The comptroller serves as one of three members of the Public Works Board, which reviews and approves millions of dollars in government contracts. The report notes that the state’s minority business enterprise continues to fall short of its goals, currently at 29% to secure government contracts. In reality, MBE participation rests at 12 percent.
One idea to achieve the corporate goal is to create a one-stop portal for all government procurement steps and processes. According to the report, it will be easier for agencies to review contracts, vendors to track payments and public works board members to monitor compliance with MBE goals.
Lierman is expected to address this and other small business issues Tuesday at a Small Business Enterprise event at the Annapolis Westin Hotel, where more than 700 black businesses are scheduled to attend.
Some of the other recommendations in the comptroller’s report include:
- Develop employee recruitment and retention plans.
- Include job classifications such as auditor, attorney or accountant and establish a separate pay scale that “reflects the diversity of the agency,” similar to the Judiciary and the Maryland Department of Transportation.
- Amend Public Works Board agendas to include a diversity clause and other climate impacts.
- Prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and access within the agency.
- Branch offices will serve as data centers to gather feedback on how the Comptroller’s Office is doing, track various concerns and collect data based on race, ethnicity or age, assess equity, and seek additional services in underserved communities.
“The recommendations in this report offer great opportunities — but they are very heavy lifting,” Lierman wrote. “I can’t just create the agency Marylanders deserve, implementing these recommendations will be a true team effort. Only by working together can we help all Maryland communities reach their full potential.
Pending legislation
The Legislature plans to review several bills this legislative session that affect the comptroller’s office.
Del. Nick Charles (D-Prince George) sponsors House Bill 429 — which would require the comptroller or a representative to serve on the Procurement Reform Council — which is scheduled to appear before the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Wednesday. A bill sponsored by Senator Melony Griffiths was heard by the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee last week.
The comptroller’s office asked for House Bill 709, a bill that would establish the 21st Century Financial Systems Council, which would include the treasurer, the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management and others. The purpose of the panel is to develop policies and objectives to test and implement a new financial management information system for all government agencies.
The proposal to replace the current financial system is highlighted in the Comptroller’s Transition Report. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 14 before the House Administration Committee. The Senate version will be heard on March 9 before the Committee on Budget and Taxation.
If the Legislature authorizes the licensing, regulation and taxation of recreational cannabis, the comptroller’s office may take on additional duties. Senate Bill 516 is scheduled for a hearing on March 16 and is sponsored by Sens. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery) and Antonio Hayes (D-Baltimore City). A House version sponsored by Del. Citi Wilson (D-Charles County) was considered in a Feb. 17 hearing before the Economic Affairs Committee.
A couple of other bills mentioned in the transition report are Senate Bill 660 and House Bill 707, which would transform the Comptroller’s Office of the Ombudsman into the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate and hire at least six employees to help residents with debt collection, tax programs and other issues. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee March 9 and will review the House on March 14 before the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees.
[ad_2]
Source link
