WEST CHESTER _ An announcement made to the Chester County Commissioners at yesterday\u2019s
\nSunshine meeting outlined the merger that has taken place between the county\u2019s Facilities Management and
\nthe Parks and Recreation departments.<\/p>\n
The announcement was based on the findings of a study undertaken for the county that reviewed
\nways in which Chester County\u2019s Facilities Management costs could be saved without affecting services.
\nThe preliminary recommendation was that all facilities be part of a central department for general
\nmanagement and efficiency of scale.<\/p>\n
The recommendations have already been implemented. The Facilities Management department is
\nalready working closely with the Chester County Prison and Pocopson Home and the Facilities and Parks
\ndepartments have been working together on projects such as the Chester Valley Trail. An additional review
\nthis year of the services provided by the two departments concluded that the Parks and Recreation
\nDepartment should come under the direction of the Facilities Department.<\/p>\n
Chester County Commissioner Chair Carol Aichele said: \u201cWith the challenges that we knew we
\nwould be facing for next year\u2019s budget, we tasked the county\u2019s senior staff and department heads to search
\nfor ways in which savings can be made without cutting services. This merger is a great example, and will
\nallow our Facilities personnel do what they do best, and our Parks and Recreation people focus on the
\nwonderful programs and services that they provide for to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe combination of the two successful departments will result in a savings of taxpayers\u2019 dollars and
\ncontinued great service to the community,\u201d said Commissioner Terence Farrell. \u201cThe estimated saving in
\nmaintenance services is $400,000 a year through combined use of equipment and personnel.\u201d
\nSome of the benefits include savings in maintenance of vehicles, better use of staff, better
\ncoordination of capital planning, and joint purchasing savings. Also, energy and conservation efforts could
\nbe improved through standardization of building automation systems and better energy accounting.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said, \u201cI commend the county\u2019s senior staff and leaders of the
\nFacilities Management and Parks and Recreation Departments for coming up with this approach to combine
\nresponsibilities without compromising the outstanding service that each department provides for Chester
\nCounty citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n