HOW WE SEE IT: Small Changes Make Big Differences

We’re often reminded that common sense isn’t all that common. When it’s evident in government, it’s even more shocking. So today, our hats go off to new Springdale District Court Judge Jeff Harper. It is, of course, hard to refer to Harper as “new.” He served until last year as Springdale’s city attorney, a post he held 26 years. But as a district judge, he’s certainly new, and apparently bringing fresh ideas to the task before him. The most obvious? Authorizing the court’s clerks to make change when people are trying to pay their fines. Really, this one seems so simple, but for years the court has demanded exact amounts. That often sent people scurrying for change. It just makes sense, when the city has millions of dollars in fines owed, that it make payment as easy as possible.

Harper also decided the district court’s hours should match up with those of City Hall, where the court is. The court previously closed at 4 p.m., while City Hall is open until 5 p.m. City Clerk Denise Pearce recalled how people have often gone into other city offices after 4 p.m. trying to pay fines. That can no doubt create some uncomfortable situations. It just shows a little new blood in a position can rethink the way things are doing and make small changes that help the people the position is there to

serve. We commend Harper for stepping in with a fresh look and making District Court more customer

friendly.

DEVELOPMENT PANEL OFFERS EFFICIENCIES

Efficiency in government is a desirable characteristic sometimes hampered by the public nature of the work, but recent changes in Benton County reflect the value of an ongoing review of how to best get the work done. By adding a step to its planning process, Benton County officials hope to actually reduce the time and confusion involved in getting projects approved. John Sudduth, general services administrator for the county, says he has seen a staff -based development review committee work wonders for the planning process in other locales. So how is adding a step more efficient? When it replaces inefficient processes. By bringing together the various departments that must sign off on submitted projects, the county has eliminated the run-around style of its process. Sudduth recalled how people who started a project at one office would immediately be sent to the power utility 10 blocks away, then the customer would be redirected to another place.

“What we did was to really condense the process,” Sudduth said. “We created a development review committee that included all the relevant department heads and staff, civil engineers, water and sewer people, people from the gas and electric utilities, all in one place. It doesn’t do any good to be sending people from one department to another. This puts everybody that has anything to do with development together where they can discuss things. You can avoid many problems with development simply through communication.”

Isn’t that the truth?

The past approach kept people compartmentalized, but the development review approach brings the relevant staff people together to discuss issues and develop solutions. Benton County isn’t the first to use this approach. Other counties have similar processes. They are all to be commended for their strides in helping people feel like government is working with them rather than against them.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 02/11/2013

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