A Businesslike Approach to Running a City

One of the methods local governments can use to keep services at a high level and costs at a minimum is privatization -- the performance under contract of previously public functions by private enterprise. Since its incorporation in 1960, the city of La Mirada, California, has been able to utilize c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business forum (Los Angeles, Calif.) Calif.), 1986-04, Vol.11 (2), p.2
Main Author: Peters, C David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cities
Contracts
Municipalities
Privatization
Public
Public administration
Services
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:One of the methods local governments can use to keep services at a high level and costs at a minimum is privatization -- the performance under contract of previously public functions by private enterprise. Since its incorporation in 1960, the city of La Mirada, California, has been able to utilize contracting to: 1. keep government costs low, 2. minimize the size of government, 3. enjoy a variety of expert services, 4. free city management for planning, and 5. build a contingency reserve that annually generates one of its highest sources of revenue. The city also has avoided such problems as the need for expensive personnel benefit packages and the overpoliticizing departments. Contractors are used for services as diverse as police and fire protection, clerical help, and recreational services. Contracts should be awarded on the basis of quality, not necessarily lowest cost, through open bidding to avoid fraud and corruption. Contractors should be qualified, have experience, and be able to meet specific needs of the contract.
ISSN:0733-2408