PED Impact (as of February 26, 2021)

The General Assembly enacted legislation based on 48 of PED’s 106 evaluations; in other words, 45% of PED reports generated new state law.

The General Assembly proposed 106 bills based on 82 of PED’s reports.
The General Assembly enacted 55 laws based on 48 of PED’s reports.

PED recommendations adopted by the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation Oversight Committee (JLPEOC) and implemented by agencies or the General Assembly save the State $38.6 million annually. PED’s 2019–20 operating costs were $1.7 million, for an annual recurring benefit-to-cost ratio of more than $22 saved for every $1 spent on PED.

From 2008 through February 2021, PED recommended $172.2 million in recurring savings and $121.7 million in non-recurring savings to the State.
Implementation of PED recommendations has resulted in $38.6 million in recurring savings and an additional $44.1 million in non-recurring savings.

Click on a report title to view details on legislation in response to its recommendations.

Totals

Legislation ProposedLegislation EnactedAgency ActionCost Savings (Recurring)Cost Savings (Non-Recurring)
1065571$38.6 million$44.1 million

Evaluation Reports

YearReport TitleLegislation ProposedLegislation EnactedAgency ActionCost Savings (Recurring)Cost Savings (Non-Recurring)
2021Improved Management of Mobile Devices and Services Could Save the State At Least $1–2 Million Annually (February 2021)
2020Better Coordination with Nonprofit Volunteer Organizations During Preparedness Can Improve Disaster Recovery (December 2020)
2020Step Pay Plans Offer Remedy to Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice Staffing Challenges (November 2020)
2020Options for Reorganizing the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice (November 2020)
2020Lack of a Dedicated State-Level Effort Challenges North Carolina’s Capacity to Increase Teacher Diversity (November 2020)Yes
2020Department of Transportation and Council of Internal Auditing Did Not Ensure DOT Compliance with Internal Audit Act (August 2020)Yes
2020North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Can Improve the Effectiveness of Its Rental Development Programs (June 2020)
2020General Assembly Should Improve Oversight of Housing Finance Agency Funds and Expenditures (June 2020)
2020North Carolina Housing Finance Agency Should Improve Performance Management and Reexamine How It Distributes Resources to Localities (June 2020)Yes
2020NC FAST Child Welfare Case Management Software Demonstrates Adequate Functionality but Poor Usability (June 2020)
2020Conveying Historic Stonewall Jackson Campus to Cabarrus County and Selling Adjacent Surplus Property Would Ensure Preservation and Be State Revenue Neutral (April 2020)YesYesYes$6,400,000
2020Compromise Process for Resolving ABC Administrative Violations Lacks Policies and Procedures, Rationale, and Transparency, Resulting in Disproportionate Penalties (March 2020)Yes
2020Opportunities Exist to Further Ease Burdens on Military-Trained Applicants and Military Spouses in Obtaining Occupational Licensure (February 2020)YesYesYes
2019Child Protective Services Intake Screening Lacks Consistency (November 2019)Yes
2019DEQ Working to Improve Organizational Structure and Permit Processes, But Targeted Adjustments and a Permit Performance Management System Are Still Needed (November 2019)Yes
2019Improvements Needed to Gauge Effectiveness and Expend State Funds Available for Postsecondary Financial Aid (October 2019)Yes
2019Evaluation of Efficiency and Effectiveness of State Ports at Wilmington and Morehead City (October 2019)Yes
2019North Carolina Should Focus on Early Childhood Learning in Order to Raise Achievement in Predominantly Disadvantaged School Districts (May 2019)YesYesYes
2019Administrative Missteps and Lack of Expertise Led to Delays and $3.7 Million in Unnecessary State Spending for Hurricane Matthew Recovery (May 2019)YesYesYes
2019Stream Restoration Projects Receive Duplicative State Funding and Inadequate Performance Management (March 2019)YesYesYes
2019Changing How North Carolina Controls Liquor Sales Has Operational, Regulatory, and Financial Ramifications (February 2019)YesYesYes
2019Opportunities Exist to Improve the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program and Recover $1.7 Million in Annual Costs (January 2019)Yes
2019Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Should Increase Private Funding and Improve Formal Coordination with Department of Commerce (January 2019)
2018Minimal Evidence Found of Service Duplication for Students with Disabilities in Schools and Communities (December 2018)Yes
2018Modifying Criteria for North Carolina’s Medical Release Program Could Reduce Costs of Inmate Healthcare (October 2018)
2018Inadequate Data Collection and Cost Recovery Practices Limit Economy of Healthcare for Safekeepers (October 2018)YesYesYes
2018Modifications to Inmate Pharmacy Purchasing and Monitoring Could Save $13.4 Million Annually (October 2018)YesYesYes$13,400,000
2018Improvements to Inmate Healthcare Reimbursement and Internal Processes Could Save $5.6 Million Annually (October 2018)YesYesYes
2018Capital Security Report (June 2018) (In accordance with Session Law 2017-57, material provided in this report is not public record)
2018Opportunities Exist to Enhance the Effectiveness of the Educator Preparation Program Data Reporting System (June 2018)YesYesYes
2018Follow-up Report: Implementation of PED Recommendations Has Improved Local ABC Board Profitability and Operational Efficiency (May 2018)
2018Opportunities Exist to Improve the Efficiency of the State’s Administrative Services (April 2018)YesYes
2018Measurability Assessment: Transforming Principal Preparation Program (April 2018) (not a full-scale evaluation)
2018VIPER and FirstNet are Vital for Public Safety Interoperability, but VIPER Requires Upgrades (April 2018)YesYesYes
2018The System of Attorney Allocation in North Carolina State Government is Decentralized (April 2018)
2017Reducing Off-Season Crossings, Adjusting Fares, and Using Partnerships Can Improve Ferry Division Efficiency (October 2017)Yes
2017Local Education Funding Dispute Resolution Process Is Effective and Economical, but Litigation Could Be Eliminated (May 2017)YesYesYes
2017Meeting Current Standards for School Nurses Statewide May Cost Up to $79 Million Annually (May 2017)YesYes
2017Options Exist for Increasing Lottery Proceeds for Education (May 2017)Yes
2017No Modification to North Carolina’s School Calendar Law Satisfies Multiple Competing Interests (February 2017)Yes
2016Most Departments’ Spans of Control and Number of Organizational Layers Do Not Meet Recommended Levels (December 2016)YesYes
2016Allotment-Specific and System-Level Issues Adversely Affect North Carolina’s Distribution of K-12 Resources (November 2016)YesYesYes
2016Medicaid Program Integrity Section is Not Cost-Effectively Identifying and Preventing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (November 2016)YesYesYes
2016Funding for North Carolina’s Community Colleges: A Description of the Current Formula and Potential Methods to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness (October 2016)
2016PED’s Review of the North Carolina Guaranteed Admissions Program (NCGAP) Report (April 2016) (not a full-scale evaluation)Yes
2016Timeliness of Medicaid Eligibility Determinations Declined Due to Challenges Imposed by NC FAST and Affordable Care Act Implementation (April 2016)YesYesYes
2016Opportunities Exist to Increase the Accountability and Independence of the Board of Review (March 2016)Yes
2016Enhanced Oversight of Service Contracts Can Help Ensure Cost-Effective Performance (January 2016)Yes
2015North Carolina Should Discontinue the Economic Development Tiers System and Reexamine Strategies to Assist Communities with Chronic Economic Distress (December 2015)Yes
2015North Carolina Should Centralize Management of State Employee Supplemental Insurance Benefits (August 2015)Yes
2015Unfunded Actuarial Liability for Retiree Health is Large, but State Could Save Up to $64 Million Annually by Shifting Costs to Medicare Advantage Plans (July 2015)YesYes
2015North Carolina Should Dispose of Unneeded Real Property and Improve Portfolio Management to Reduce Costs (June 2015)YesYesYes$53,000$6,800,000
2015North Carolina Should Eliminate the Use of Personal Services Contracts in Favor of Using Existing Mechanisms (February 2015)YesYesYes
2015Implications of Funding Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment or Prevention with Alcohol Tax Earmark (February 2015)
2015Licensing Processing Fees Are Inequitable; Permit DOI Vendor to Charge Different Processing Fees Based on Effort and Cost (January 2015)YesYes
2014Occupational Licensing Agencies Should Not be Centralized, but Stronger Oversight is Needed (December 2014)YesYesYes
2014DHHS Should Integrate State Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities into the Community-Based System and Improve Performance Management (November 2014) YesYesYes
2014Overnight Respite Pilot at Adult Day Care Facilities Perceived as Favorable, but Lacked Objective Measures of Success (October 2014)YesYesYes
2014North Carolina Needs a Coordinated Strategy to Guide the Changing Landscape of Veterans Programs (September 2014)YesYesYes
2014Revising State Child Support Incentive System Could Promote Improved Performance of County Programs (July 2014)YesYesYes
2014Improved Oversight of Volunteer Fire Department Fund and Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund Needed; $8 Million Surplus Found (April 2014)YesYesYes$8,000,000
2014North Carolina Needs to Strengthen Its System for Monitoring and Preventing the Abuse of Prescribed Controlled Substances (April 2014)YesYesYes
2014Improved Administrative Program Monitoring by the Department of Public Instruction Can Save Over $19 Million Annually (April 2014)YesYesYes$4,600,000
2014Department of State Treasurer Should Strengthen Its Oversight of the Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund (March 2014)YesYesYes
2014Performance Measurement and Monitoring Would Strengthen Accountability of North Carolina's Driver Education Program (March 2014)YesYes
2014Revenue and Cost Trends Indicate Deficit in Volunteer Safety Workers' Compensation Fund in FY 2020–21 (February 2014)YesYesYes
2013The UNC System Needs a More Comprehensive Approach and Metrics for Operational Efficiency (December 2013)Yes
2013Local Boards and Associations Administer Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Relief Funds with Limited State Oversight (November 2013)YesYesYes
2013Overview of School Choice Options Provided by Colorado's Douglas County School District (October 2013)Yes
2013Centralized Fleet Operations Will Improve Management and Oversight of Department of Public Safety Vehicles (April 2013)Yes
2013Options for Creating a Separate Department of Medicaid Require Transition Planning (March 2013)
2013North Carolina Does Not Track Lands Submerged Under Navigable Rivers or Know the Extent of Private Claims (January 2013)Yes
2013The Division of Public Health Should Remain in the Department of Health and Human Services. (January 2013)Yes
2012Options for the Indian Cultural Center Will Allow the Site to Meet its Cultural, Recreational, and Economic Development Intent (December 2012)YesYesYes
2012Stronger Reporting and Management Structure Would Improve State Bureau of Investigation Vehicle Oversight (November 2012)
2012Merger of the Human Relations Commission with the Civil Rights Division Would Yield Limited Cost Savings (October 2012)Yes
2012North Carolina Should Require NC Railroad Company to Pay an Annual Dividend and Strengthen Reporting (October 2012)YesYesYes$3,675,000$15,500,000
2012Follow-up Report: Reviewing Eligibility for Permanent License Plates Would Strengthen State Oversight (May 2012) (not a full-scale evaluation)YesYesYes
2012Contract Agency Vehicle Registration and Titling Services Are Cost Efficient, but Contracts Need Performance Terms (April 2012)Yes
2012Ineffective Policies and Diffuse Oversight Result in Inefficient Use of State-Owned Vehicles (April 2012)YesYesYes
2012A Three-Year Emissions Inspection Exemption Would Save North Carolina Motorists $9.6 Million (March 2012)YesYesYes$9,600,000
2012State and Local Improvements Needed for Workforce Development System Integration and Accountability (March 2012)YesYesYes
2012Further Reductions to Aviation Programs Are Possible and an Aviation Management Authority is Needed (March 2012)YesYesYes$300,000$4,600,000
2012Motor Fleet Management Uses Best Practices, but Needs Telematics to Strengthen Accountability (March 2012)YesYesYes
2012Operational Changes for State Attractions Could Yield $2 Million Annually and Reduce Reliance on the State (February 2012)YesYesYes
2011Inadequate Data and Fleet Information Management Weaken Accountability for North Carolina's Vehicles (December 2011)Yes
2011Child Nutrition Programs Challenged to Meet Nutrition Standards, Maintain Participation, and Remain Solvent (October 2011)YesYes
2011Compared to Other States' Retirement Plans, TSERS is Well Funded and Its Plan Features Are Typical or Less Generous (September 2011)
2011Purchasing Consortiums and Merging Community Colleges Could Save $26.2 Million Over Seven Years (June 2011)Yes
2011Statutory Changes Will Promote County Flexibility in Social Services Administration (May 2011)YesYesYes
2011North Carolina Should Weigh Continued Investment in the Global TransPark Authority and Consider How to Repay the Escheat Fund Loan (April 2011)YesYesYes
2011Programs for Children, Youth, and Families Need Guiding Framework for Accountability and Funding (February 2011)
2010UNC Enrollment Change Funding Formula Needs Documentation and a Performance Component (November 2010)Yes
2010Selling 25 Underutilized Aircraft May Yield Up to $8.1 Million and Save $1.5 Million Annually (April 2010)YesYesYes$808,000$1,800,000
2010University Distance Courses Cost More to Develop Overall but the Same to Deliver as On-Campus Courses (April 2010)Yes
2010Feasibility of Restructuring Budget and Financial Management of North Carolina State Government (April 2010)
2010High School Graduation Project Requirement Should Remain a Local School District Decision (April 2010)YesYesYes$5,800,000$750,000
2010Legislative Options for Addressing Deficiencies in State Purchasing and Contracting (April 2010) (not a full-scale evaluation)YesYesYes
2009Eliminating the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Backlog Will Require at Least $549 Million (November 2009)YesYesYes
2009Accountability Gaps Limit State Oversight of $694 Million in Grants to Non-Profit Organizations (November 2009)YesYes
2009Enhanced Services Package Implementation: Costs, Administrative Decision Making, and Agency Leadership (July 2009)
2009North Carolina's Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Lacks Strategic Focus and Coordination (January 2009)YesYesYes
2008Doubtful Return on the Public's $141 Million Investment in Poorly Managed Vehicle Inspection Programs (December 2008)YesYesYes
2008Controlling the Cost of Medicaid Private Duty Nursing Services (December 2008)YesYesYes$395,000
2008Caring for Previously Hospitalized Consumers: Progress and Challenges in Mental Health System Reform (December 2008)Yes
2008Project Management Lapses and Planning Failures Delayed Court Technology Improvements (December 2008)Yes
2008North Carolina's Alcohol Beverage Control System Is Outdated and Needs Modernization (December 2008)YesYesYes
2008Compromised Controls and Pace of Change Hampered Implementation of Enhanced Mental Health Services (July 2008)Yes
2008Improving Regional Economic Development through Structural Changes and Performance Measurement Incentives (May 2008)Yes
2008Consolidating Agricultural Research Facility Management Would Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness (May 2008)YesYesYes