NIU’s acclaimed Master of Public Administration Program and its Center for Governmental Studies are collaborating with HR Green, Inc., a leading national provider of governmental services, to improve alternative service delivery in local government.
Alternative service delivery is a promising strategy for municipalities that wish to maintain service levels and quality but are faced with declining fiscal resources.
This public-private partnership will result in a handbook on local government service delivery that will include “how-to” templates and examples of promising practices for local governments that are considering alternative service delivery methods.
An educational conference for elected and appointed officials in the region and nation also will be organized. To help ensure that this project meets the needs of local government, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, representing more than 280 mayors in northern Illinois, will co-host the conference.
Kurt Thurmaier
“Municipalities are searching for innovative new solutions to the age-old challenge of doing more with less” said Kurt Thurmaier, professor and director of NIU’s Division of Public Administration. “We think that alternative service delivery strategies hold tremendous promise for cash-strapped local governments.”
“We are excited to partner with a university as committed as NIU is to working on important public policy issues,” said Rick White, president of HR Green’s Governmental Services Business Line. “We share a deep interest in providing the best possible service to local government.”
Originally founded in 1913 by Howard R. Green, HR Green is a privately held, employee-owned company that offers a suite of products and services to help governments serve their constituents viably and effectively.
HR Green helps public and private sector clients design, construct, own and operate viable facilities and healthy enterprises. The HR Green Governmental Services Business Line offers a suite of products and services to help governments serve their constituents. These include program management, shared services consulting, alternative service delivery, e-government software, public-private partnerships (P3), rate studies, community redevelopment and sustainability.
As an engineering, technical and management consulting firm, HR Green serves clients throughout the United States and beyond.
