Across the country, government leaders are ramping up efforts to streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve services for residents and businesses.
While many of these efforts are rooted in longstanding local goals, recent activity at the federal level has brought this conversation to the forefront—prompting more states, cities, and counties to launch or accelerate their own initiatives to modernize how government works.
Whether it’s rethinking internal workflows or investing in new technology, these efforts reflect a broader shift toward more efficient governance—driven by practical needs and the increasing expectations of residents and businesses.
The Growing Emphasis on Efficiency
State and local governments are taking a look at how they operate—and fueling a wave of innovation and collaboration across sectors.
In New Hampshire, the state launched the Commission on Government Efficiency (COGE) to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve how their government delivers services. One area of particular focus: streamlining permitting processes, which were flagged as time-consuming and overly complex for residents and businesses.
In North Carolina, the General Assembly formed the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency to uncover inefficiencies and improve coordination across departments. A key issue identified early on was how disconnected systems and siloed departments slow service delivery and create internal friction.
Meanwhile, at the local level, cities and counties are making similar moves. The City of Phoenix created an Innovation and Efficiency Task Force to examine how city operations could be improved—resulting in dozens of projects aimed at saving time, money, and resources. And DuPage County, Illinois has implemented a range of operational reforms, including a government consolidation initiative designed to eliminate redundancy and improve service to residents.
Across all of these efforts, one theme is clear: public agencies are being asked to do more with less—while still delivering a better experience to the communities they serve.
What are the Challenges Agencies Face?
While the drive for efficiency is strong, many agencies still face major obstacles:
- Outdated technology that slows down everything from inspections to approvals
- Manual, paper-heavy processes that eat up staff time and delay results
- Siloed systems and disconnected departments that make it difficult to coordinate services
- Limited transparency that frustrates residents and impedes oversight
- Complex permitting and licensing processes that create friction for businesses trying to comply
How Accela Can Help
At Accela, we specialize in helping government agencies tackle these challenges head-on. Our Civic Platform powers everything from permitting and licensing to inspections and code enforcement—all in one modern, digital environment.
We align with the goals of these state and local initiatives with:
✅ Automated, Digital Workflows
Accela replaces slow, manual processes with streamlined digital workflows. That means faster approvals, fewer errors, and a better experience for both staff and constituents.
✅ Better Resident and Business Interactions
With OpenCounter—now built into Accela’s platform—agencies can provide guided, intuitive online services for permits and licenses. Residents and business owners get the clarity and convenience they expect, without the back-and-forth.
✅ Lower Costs and Reduced Waste
By consolidating systems and digitizing routine tasks, agencies can reduce administrative overhead and redirect resources to higher-value work. This directly supports the cost-saving goals behind many local modernization efforts.
✅ Cross-Department Collaboration
Accela breaks down silos by centralizing workflows and data. In places like North Carolina, where interdepartmental disconnect is a known challenge, our platform helps agencies operate in sync and deliver more seamless services.
✅ Built-In Reporting and Transparency
With powerful analytics and reporting tools, agencies can track performance, measure impact, and report back to leadership and the public with confidence.
A Proven Partner for Smarter Government
As more governments look to modernize how they operate, a technology partner like Accela can play a vital role in supporting your journey. Whether you’re just beginning to evaluate your processes or are actively pursuing a transformation strategy, we can help you move faster, collaborate better, and deliver services that meet today’s expectations.
Contact us to see how Accela can support your agency’s efficiency goals.
