Chair Lee Questions ACS on Savings Methodology
Chair Linda Lee asks ACS Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston to explain the data-driven approach and metrics used to identify recurring savings opportunities for the FY27 Executive Plan.
Thank you so much, Commissioner.
Before I go into my questions, just want to recognize we've been joined by Councilmember Morano on Zoom, Councilmembers Ose, Councilmember Felder, Councilmember Jay Sanchez, and Councilmember Mealy.
And thank you so much, Commissioner.
We have two former nonprofit leaders up here, which really greatly appreciate the work and the portfolio that ACS has.
And so I know that you are in charge of a lot and there's a lot on your plate.
And so one of the things I hate is our silos in government, and so whatever we can do on the council, we've always tried to champion ways to make sure that the agencies are also talking to each other and ways that we can play a helpful role in that as well.
So thank you.
And just wanted to, I have a few questions before I pass it on to the chair.
So, in terms of the savings exercises, I know that every agency had a target goal for the FY27 executive plan.
How did ACS determine which savings to include in the executive plan and what was the process in terms of what metrics were used to make the assessment?
Sure, good morning.
So, as part of the Executive Order 12, all agencies were required to identify recurring savings opportunities across their entire budget and review agency operations using a data-driven approach focused on operational efficiencies, program performance, and long-term sustainability.
At ACS, we focused on aligning the budget to reflect our projected revenues, took savings from sunsetting programs and contracts, and we also looked across the entire agency budget and evaluated contracts based on performance and agency need.
Our focus throughout the process was to find savings and efficiencies that would not eliminate services for children, youth, and families.
Okay, because I know that when we talked about savings on the council side, and I know the speaker has said this as well, we really wanted to emphasize that we don't want to make we want to make sure that services are not cut.