November 19, 2015 – Ashburn, VA:
City Council votes unanimously in favor of Public-Nonprofit Partnership Agreement for City services.
The City of Guymon, OK has partnered with IBTS Community Services, LLC (IBTS-CS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide Administrative, Community Development, Public Works, Utilities, Parks and Recreation, and Library services.
City Manager, Kimberly Meek, learned about the capabilities of IBTS when she attended an information session hosted by the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) to learn about regional approach to city services. The city leadership conducted a thorough due diligence of IBTS’ capabilities, experience, and approach, which included an evaluation of the Company’s performance in supporting and providing services to the City of Central, LA since 2011. The City Manager was pleased and impressed with the employee morale and quality of services she observed. It is expected that IBTS will leverage the systems, processes, and expertise from the City of Central and other public-private partnership experiences to transform Guymon’s day-to-day services.
“Partnering with IBTS will allow the City of Guymon access to resources for employee support and development beyond anything imagined in the past. Cutting edge technology will enhance our ability to not only provide dynamic service through increased communications, but create greater transparency, accountability, and efficiencies.” said City Manager, Kimberly Meek.
After a start-up period, IBTS-CS will be responsible for providing City services under the direction of the City Manager. IBTS-CS will also assume responsibility for City employees, as outlined in the agreement. The organization has committed to provide values and benefits above and beyond day-to-day services, including training for employees and a complete inventory of City infrastructure which will drive development of an informed Capital Improvement Plan. In addition, the organization has committed to return 50% of any savings realized to the City, pursuant to the agreement.
The City of Guymon, OK is the second city that IBTS has partnered with to provide city services on this scale. “We are excited to begin our partnership with the City of Guymon. We look forward to enhancing customer service to Guymon’s citizens, supporting professional growth for City employees, and increasing efficiency through new technology and processes,” commented Don Howell, Director of Local Government Solutions for IBTS.
Press Contacts:
| Miranda Gilbert CD Specialist, City of Guymon miranda.gilbert@guymonok.org | Karen Johnson Market Engagement Program Director, IBTS kjohnson@ibts.org |
About the City of Guymon and IBTS:
The City of Guymon, OK is the largest city in the strip of land known as the Panhandle of Oklahoma. The City is a melting pot of culture featuring arts, festivals, and hospitality. Guymon is home to national and state recognized events, including: Guymon Pioneer Days and PRCA Hall of Fame Rodeo, The Five State Motorcycle Run and Motorcycle Rodeo, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) BlueDef Velocity Tour Event, Azuma African Celebration, and Guymon Fiesta Day. Other places to visit include No Man’s Land Museum, All Fired Up Arts Center, Historic Downtown Main Street, Guymon Community Theatre, Corral Drive-In Theatre, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Black Mesa including Dinosaur Tracks, and Tri-State Marker.
IBTS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to helping communities through quality services that reduce risk, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia with branch offices across the country. IBTS’s work is guided by a Board of Directors made up of government officials appointed by five of the most highly respected, grassroots, state and local governmental associations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), and National League of Cities (NLC).
