GREENVILLE - A proposal to restructure the Department of Social Services will be made soon by a panel appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford to reduce state government waste, the panel chairman says.

"We're looking at a huge restructuring of the way the department carries out its work," Ken Wingate, chairman of the Governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance, said in a meeting with editors and reporters of The Greenville News.

Wingate would not provide details but said the recommendations would be made public after Labor Day.

He was in town for a public hearing at Greenville Technical College.

The commission is reviewing all agencies in state government and will submit a report to Sanford by Sept. 30.

The panel singled out DSS for a full study because of the agency's size.

DSS has 5,000 employees and has offices in every county. Its divisions handle welfare, children's programs and health programs, including Medicaid.

The recommendations can be ordered by Sanford without legislative approval because DSS is a Cabinet agency under his control.

About 60 people attended Thursday's hearing, including Sanford.

Craig Stoxen asked for improved services for those with autism.

Tim Gunter, a Greenville truck driver, urged the panel to prevent law enforcement officers from using patrol cars, weapons and uniforms when off duty. "Firefighters don't drive their firetrucks home," he said.

Norman Goerlick, who moved here three years ago after retiring in Pennsylvania, called for a streamlined sentencing system, greater discretion for judges, early release of nonviolent criminals and more services for the homeless.

Dick Jensen, who said he is a professional educator, suggested ending school bus service for grades nine through 12 in urban areas and switching to private bus companies in rural areas.

Suzanne Culp, a Department of Health and Human Services employee, said her section's new computer system consistently malfunctions. She also complained about the lack of raises for state employees and their declining take-home pay in the face of escalating health insurance premiums. "We're going to lose people," she said.