As outlined in our statute, the biennial work plan is developed by the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee and the Division Director, with input from staff. Requests for program evaluations must come from a member of the General Assembly. The Division Director will review the requests in light of staff capacity and the current work plan and will make a recommendation to the Oversight Committee as to alterations of the work plan. Any project required by state law automatically amends the work plan.

2011–12 Work Plan (Updated May 9, 2012)

Completed Projects

Follow-up Review of State Aircraft. Session Law 2011-145, Section 6.13(b) and (e) require the Program Evaluation Division to examine consolidation of air services provided by the Department of Transportation, State Bureau of Investigation, University of North Carolina Passenger Mission, and other state agencies and identify the appropriate agency to house consolidated passenger air services including the possible formation of an Aviation Management Authority. The evaluation will also identify potential savings resulting from consolidation of air passenger services. Mandated due date: May 1, 2012.

State Retirement Systems in North Carolina and Other States. This evaluation compared North Carolina’s state retirement system to national standards and to other state retirement systems.

Child Nutrition Program. Session Law 2010-115 required the Program Evaluation Division to examine the operation of the Child Nutrition Program.

Administration of State Attractions. Session Law 2011-145, Section 22.1 required the Program Evaluation Division to examine state-owned sites considered to be North Carolina attractions and recommend optimal operating schedules and whether administration of these attractions can be consolidated into one department or administrative unit.

Workforce Development Programs. This evaluation reviewed workforce development programs for adult workers and recommended strategies to make the workforce system more effective and efficient.

Vehicle Emissions Testing. This evaluation follows up a March 2012 study by the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Air Quality. The study addressed potential impacts of exempting motor vehicles from emissions inspections. The Program Evaluation Division made recommendations on vehicle inspection programs in a December 2008 evaluation.

State Motor Fleet (Part 1, with Follow-up 1, Follow-up 2)(Part 2)(Part 3). Session Law 2011-145, Section 6.13(d) and (e) require the Program Evaluation Division to study all passenger and non-passenger vehicles owned and operated by state government departments, institutions, and entities including motor fleet fees and associated cash balances, mechanic operations, and the use and purpose of assigned vehicles. The legislation also directs the Division to examine the management and operation of state-owned and operated motor fueling stations and the associated fees.

Motor Vehicle Registration and License Plates. Session Law 2011-382 requires the Program Evaluation Division to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the current system for delivering motor vehicle registration and license plate services through private vendors including the process for awarding contracts to private vendors, state oversight of vendors, customer service satisfaction and complaints, and service fees.

Projects Currently Underway

Coordination of the North Carolina Research and Education Network and State Computer Networks. Session Law 2009-451, Section 6.13(b) requires the Program Evaluation Division and the Fiscal Research Division to provide guidance to the Office of Information Technology Services and the Office of State Budget and Management, in conjunction with the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, as these offices conduct a study to determine the feasibility of coordinating the operation of the state network infrastructure.

Public Employee Compensation Plans. Session Law 2011-145, Section 29.20 requires the Legislative Services Commission through the Program Evaluation and Fiscal Research Divisions to commission a study of all current compensation plans for state employees. The Legislative Services Commission is authorized to contract with a qualified consulting firm to perform this study. Mandated due date: May 1, 2012.

North Carolina Railroad Company. Session Law 2011-145, Section 28.12A as amended by Session Law 2011-391, Section 52 requires the Program Evaluation Division to conduct a comprehensive examination of the North Carolina Railroad Company, a North Carolina corporation of which the state is the sole shareholder. Mandated due date: November 1, 2012.

Department of the Secretary of State. This evaluation will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations of the Department of the Secretary of State including determining if the functions of the department can be transferred to other state agencies.

Ecosystem Enhancement Program. This evaluation will examine the efficiency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Ecosystem Enhancement Program, focusing on funding, staffing, and management.

Projects Pending

Pilot Program for Overnight Respite Services Provided by Adult Day Care Facilities. Session Law 2011-104 requires the Program Evaluation Division to evaluate the provision of overnight respite services in adult day care program through the experiences of the pilot program authorized by this legislation including measuring the success of the pilot. Mandated due date: October 1, 2014.

Projects Delayed (pending completion of projects assigned by law or special provision)

Unused, Underutilized, and Surplus Property. This evaluation will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal and administrative process for identifying under-utilized or surplus land and facilities owned and maintained by state agencies and universities.

Ratio of Employees to Supervisors in Executive Agencies. This evaluation will develop a measure based on the ratio of employees to supervisors, or span of control, to determine the efficiency of state agency management.

Department of Public Instruction Operations. This evaluation will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Public Instruction’s management and operations including business and finance functions; technology services; curriculum, instruction, and accountability services; and academic services and instructional support.

Chapter 150B Contested Cases. This evaluation will consist of a series of studies that examine decisions rendered by administrative law judges that are overturned as a final agency decision. The studies will examine the nature of the cases, basis for reversals, number of cases appealed to Superior Court, and results of those appeals.

Information Technology Services Reform. This evaluation will assess the implementation of Session Law 2004-129 that created an IT management and oversight structure including the Office of State Information Technology Services. The aim was to improve planning and project development, to reduce cost overruns, assist agencies, and increase accountability.

Privatization Potential of State Government Programs. This evaluation will develop a process for identifying and evaluating feasible opportunities for privatizing state government programs and identify government activities that may be appropriate for privatization.

Driver Licensing Services. This evaluation will assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the Division of Motor Vehicles’s current system for providing driver licensing services including operations, management, service fees, and customer satisfaction.

UNC-TV. This evaluation will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of UNC-TV’s management, funding, and operation including reviewing how other states are involved in public broadcasting.