Expanding role of hired consultants in public life

Van Buren Township is considering giving up the rest of its animal control business by outsourcing it to a facility in Romulus, to save over $30,000 per year.

The process to select the new Van Buren Public Schools Superintendent, and the process that led to the recent decision to close Haggerty and Elwell Elementary Schools, were led by outside consultants. I thought they did a great job.

Belleville's accounting and budget development process is supported by Plante Moran.

Sumpter Township fired its engineering consultants in December after a relationship of 18 years, I understand. No reason for the firing was provided in the meeting, although the question was asked.

VBT's code compliance inspectors include staff from McKenna Associates, the township's longtime planning consultants.

VBT was embarrassed a couple summers ago when the outside contractor they hired to mow the township's parks and cemeteries was judged to be doing an inadequate job, despite decent references. U.S. Flags decorating veterans' graves were not being treated with the proper respect. Quickly, they obtained help from another mower, a local business.

My point? Consultants are becoming ubiquitous in municipal operations. Depending on your views, you may some of that as good, some not so good. but there is no denying it - they are a larger influence on municipal operations each day.