Creating a Central Department for Labor and Consumer Affairs

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Upon Performance Management’s analysis and audit of departmental operations, an opportunity to strengthen the County’s ability to provide consistent information for constituents, enforcement, employment and standards for business operations was immediately realized. By creating a central department of Labor Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the County could better protect the public and support legitimate Suffolk County business owners. Early analysis identified weakness in technology infrastructure in Consumer Affairs, anemic staffing and need for expanded training opportunities. Reduced staffing levels impacted the ability to generate revenue and provide needed public protections and ultimately, forced uneconomic deployment of staff. The consolidation of these departments has enabled expanded administrative strength in Consumer Affairs thereby adding capacity. The result has been the identification of an additional $500,000 in revenue annually and a system that is an accessible, constituent-friendly operation, provides management and training platforms necessary for success, and utilizes technology as a catalyst to promote efficiencies and track licensing.