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regional consolidation across county lines be incented through allowing local
agencies to retain a share of the savings from such a move.
4. Focus on Core Mission
Over time, many programs that provide valuable services have been added to
state government. Last year, Governor Easley required his Cabinet to provide
recommendations to reduce their budgets by up to 11 percent by focusing on the core
mission of the agency. The Commission supports this move and notes that it will require
discipline to continue to do this task.
The Commission recommends the following:
·   Eliminate or transfer the advocacy functions located in the Department of
Administration ( GPAC). The Department of Administration should function as
the general services provider for state agencies and departments. Over time, a
number of advocacy functions have located in the Department for various
reasons. Some of these functions may be appropriate for government to provide
and, if so, then they should be transferred. Others should be provided by the
private or nonprofit advocacy sector.
Capital Management
The state has had virtually no capital budget in the past few years. The efficient
management of assets will be imperative.
·   Sell the Blount Street properties. These assets will meet with high demand
from the private sector and will restore valuable real estate for local tax rolls.
·   Improve aircraft operations. The Subcommittee has helped organize the
state’s pilots to make several recommendations that will result in substantial
efficiencies and improve safety. Many of the state’s 67 aircraft are for
specialized purposes, such as law enforcement and firefighting. The
Commission recommends that further study of aircraft for centralization and
consolidation to reduce assets be done.