The final structure of these departments will recognize and maintain the autonomy of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for the purposes of obtaining the maximum state aid and statutory compliance. In addition, savings will be realized through attrition of some of the clerical and administrative positions. While a dollar figure has not been estimated in this regard, the savings will be realized nonetheless. Through this new consolidation, there will be one Commissioner of Health, a Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health and a Deputy Commissioner of Drug and Alcohol, thus eliminating two commissioner positions. This will allow for the elimination of a total of four Deputy Commissioners between the two departments.
Officials estimate future savings through greater efficiencies in hiring and purchasing practices.
In addition, all of the routine maintenance functions of the Departments of Recreation and Parks and General Services will be consolidated. During the Summer months, the appropriate staff will be deployed from each department to handle projects at County Parks and during the Winter, Parks staff will assist General Services in routine maintenance of county facilities. The Department of Recreation and Parks will be working towards development of corporate sponsorship programs for future cultural programs. The Office of Affirmative Action works to insure the fair participation of minorities in County Capital Projects. In an effort to save costs, the Director of the Equal Opportunity Employment Office will be consolidated with the Department of Public Works which is responsible for Capital Projects.