Anne Arundel County wants to make government more efficient – which could mean privatizing more government services. On Wednesday, December 28, County Executive Steve Schuh announced the creation of the Commission on Government Innovation and Effectiveness, which, according to the County’s press release:

…will examine certain functions currently handled by County agencies that could be successfully handled through public-private partnerships and private sector contracts, resulting in better service to constituents as well as cost savings. The Commission will also examine how to best deploy technology to enhance services.

The Commission will hold public meetings monthly and issue an initial report this April.

William J. Westervelt, Jr., founder of private equity firm Ashby Point Capital and co-founder of First Annapolis Consulting, will chair the Commission. Former West County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Claire C. Louder will serve as Executive Director for the Commission.

Including the chair, the Commission will have six members. Three of the members have public sector experience, including the Honorable Ronald C. Dillon, Jr., former member of the Anne Arundel County Council; Frances B. Phillips, RN, MHA, former Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and Anne Arundel County Health Officer and Interim County Fire Chief; and Nelson J. Sabatini, who served as DHMH Secretary under two separate administrations and as the Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Said County Executive Schuh:

We are committed to providing the best government we can to the citizens of Anne Arundel County. We need a wholesale review of every department and operation to understand how we can make government work more effectively for the people.