A behind-the-scenes Montgomery County office is quietly reshaping how local government operates, saving taxpayers real money in the process, writes Fallon Roth for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Montgomery County’s Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance, launched in early 2025, has helped identify roughly $14 million in savings over the past year and cut the county’s budget deficit in half. The office worked with department leaders to eliminate long-vacant positions, renegotiate a prescription benefits contract, and bring some legal services in-house.

County leaders from both parties say the effort is about smart stewardship, not politics. Commissioners Jamila Winder, Neil Makhija, and Republican Tom DiBello all voiced support for making government more efficient while protecting core services. Officials stressed that, unlike high-profile federal efforts elsewhere, Montgomery County’s approach is methodical, transparent, and focused on long-term improvement.

Looking ahead, the office is exploring how artificial intelligence could reduce red tape for residents and county employees, from faster document access to streamlined internal workflows. Any public-facing AI tools would be tested internally first, with clear guardrails in place.

The county also plans to launch a public open-data site in 2026, giving residents a clearer look at how budget decisions connect to service delivery.

To learn more about Montgomery County’s efficiency push and what’s next, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO.Today in January 2026.