Montgomery County, Pa.
The new department is designed to enhance service delivery, optimize resources, and improve the lives of residents.
Montgomery County is taking a bold step toward modernizing local government with the launch of the Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance (OISP)—a new department designed to enhance service delivery, optimize resources, and improve the lives of residents.
The plans of the new office were unveiled Tuesday at the Montgomery County Commissioners’ State of the County event, with a detailed presentation provided by Deputy Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Tipton at Thursday’s Board of Commissioners Meeting.
“With our new Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance, Montco will be harnessing the power of data and new technology to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive,” said Neil K. Makhija, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “We’ll be proving that local government can lead in innovation, embrace advancements in technology, and ensure every dollar works harder for our residents. By integrating data analytics, process improvements, and community engagement, OISP will drive meaningful change, fostering a more responsive and equitable government.”
The creation of the new office comes from the transformation of the County’s Recovery Office, which was originally established to oversee the equitable coordination of the County’s Pandemic Recovery Funds, $161 million that was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Building on the successes of the Recovery Office, OISP will bring expert business analysis, project management, and data-driven decision making to County operations. By working across departments, the office will streamline processes, strengthen grant administration, and implement forward-thinking solutions that maximize impact.
“I want to thank our Recovery Office for their fantastic work in identifying programs where County funding could have the most impact, and we are looking forward to the continuing work of the OISP,” said Jamila H. Winder, vice chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “At the heart of this new office is a promise to deliver people-centered solutions—ensuring that the voices of residents and frontline staff shape the way County services are designed and delivered.”
“This office transformation is in alignment with what we have talked about: analyzing County programs and making sure that we are getting the most return on investment for our County budget,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “I’m excited to see what comes in the future from this new department as we transition a talented team of people and establish the KPIs for the County programs and services.”
“This new office will strengthen the way that Montgomery County operates. We’re taking what we learned from ARPA funded programs, where data-driven decision making led to more effective outcomes, and embedding those principles firmly in county government,” said Stephanie Tipton, deputy chief operating officer. “With this new office we’re ensuring that our policies, our programs, and the services we provide are responsive, well-managed, and sustainable for the long term.”
With this new office, Montgomery County reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every resident benefits from a government that is responsive, forward-thinking, and built to meet the evolving needs of the community.
