Sanford issues survey

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Sanford on Thursday announced an Internet survey for citizens and state employees as part of an effort to collect cost-saving and other ideas to boost agencies' efficiency.

The Governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance has conducted focus groups with citizens and state employees and done a public-opinion poll, the results of which will be announced next month, said Ken Wingate, chairman of the panel.

"We've said all along that South Carolina has some of the hardest-working employees in the nation; we're just held back as a state because our system is flawed," Sanford said. "The goal of this survey is simple: To get folks on the front lines of both sides of that system to help uncover flaws and come up with cost-saving ideas that will ultimately help fix them."

The surveys can be found at the website http://www.myscgov.com/. Employees and citizens can fill out on the survey on-line or print them and mail them to MAP, Wingate said.

Broadus Jamerson, executive director of the South Carolina State Employees Association, said he thought the surveys are a good idea, even though they might duplicate agency suggestion boxes.

"I think it's a good idea to provide folks who have an interest in the process a means to give their input in a very positive way," he said.

Wingate said the state employees and citizens surveyed in focus groups matched their ideas of what should be done.

"We hear from citizens that they lack information about the services that government can provide, that there is fragmentation in the delivery of services and that they want to better utilize the internet," he said. "The employees said, 'We know of better ways to utilize technology, and we think there are some ways to better coordinate the activities of the agencies, and we think there is a better way to get information into the hands of our customers, the citizens.'"

Officials said citizens can access the surveys through any library and agencies will provide paper copies for employees who don't have computer access.

Wingate said the commission also will hold five public hearings around the state to gather additional public input.

Sanford created the commission in June as a means of eliminating waste and improving efficiency in state government.