The North Dakota Department of Human Services is working on a “social services redesign project.”
As part of that effort, the Department held a workshop in Bismarck on “Increasing Efficiency and Effectiveness in State Government.” (5/1/18)
The workshop featured Utah Office of Management and Budget Executive Director Kristen Cox.
"Significant improvement is possible," Cox said in an interview with Prairie Public. "Less is more. And tools exist to achieve the ambitions targets that they set."
Cox said in North Dakota, she senses a willingness to look at doing things differently.
"You seem to have a great culture of collaboration," Cox said. "People want to get together. It's been quite refreshing."
Cox said she feels the state's leaders are committed to "measurable improvements," and just not to talking about it.
"They're very committed to doing things, not just differently, but better," Cox said. "They have a great foundation, and are committed to taking it to the next level."
Cox said with the right tools, they can provide better services for the customers, the taxpayers and the employees. And she said change is on-going.
"It's never over," Cox said. "FYI, you're never done."
