Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board

GEAR Board’s Ninth Annual Report Also Highlights Modernization Efforts Across Delaware Government

Updated 12/6/25 with quotes from Sen. Gerald Hocker and Joseph Fulgham, Director of House Communications.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Gov. Matt Meyer on Monday touted the state’s latest Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board report, which claims more than $110 million in projected long-term savings and highlights efforts to modernize Delaware’s bureaucracy.

Supporters say the ninth annual report shows progress toward a more transparent and efficient state government. But some lawmakers and fiscal watchdogs note that many of the savings are projections and caution that Delaware’s government has grown significantly in recent years, even as officials promise to “do more with less.”

GEAR report claims long-term savings, modernization

Created in 2017, the GEAR Board was designed to promote a culture of “continuous improvement” in state government by modernizing systems, streamlining processes and expanding data-driven decision-making across agencies.

According to the 2025 report, more than 175 state employees are currently advancing 160 improvement initiatives that are projected to save an estimated $110 million over their lifespan. The report covers work across 23 agencies.

“State government should be honest, transparent, and efficient. Through innovative, collaborative suggestions that are driven by data, the 2025 GEAR report will help ensure that Delawareans’ tax dollars are being used effectively,” Meyer said in a statement. “From streamlining permitting to modernizing digital services, they are making sure state government better serves all Delawareans.”

Among the highlighted initiatives:

Expanded continuous improvement capacity: Employees are being trained in Lean and related methods to identify waste and redesign processes.
A permitting “efficiency blitz”: Using Lean and Agile methods to support the state’s “Ready in Six” initiative, officials say permitting turnaround times were cut by four business weeks, saving at least $1.2 million annually.
State Land Inventory Management (SLIM): A new centralized platform tracks state-owned property to help agencies make more informed decisions about land use, surplus assets, environmental impacts and economic development.
Cost controls and service changes: The report cites initiatives such as lease restructuring, fleet cost management, healthcare cost containment, streamlined employee onboarding, improved correctional officer retention, online environmental permitting, a unified school library catalog, modernized background checks and upgrades to financial, HR, criminal justice and IT systems.

The GEAR program also recognized several technology-driven projects with its Public-Private Partnership awards, honoring teams from the Department of Education, the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and DelDOT.

Questions about “projected” savings and growth

“The GEAR report press release also emphasizes that there are 160 government initiatives projected to save an estimated $110 million over their lifespan. That’s good, but it is unfortunately overshadowed by the rapid growth in state spending. Between FY 2021 and FY 2025, actual General Fund appropriations jumped by more than $2.4 billion, or more than 53%. That does not even include the additional 5% to 7% increase expected in the current fiscal year.

Senator Gerald Hocker, Senate Minority Leader, from legis.delaware.gov.

Senator Gerald Hocker, Minority Leader, commented, “The administration frames the $110 million savings figure as proof that efficiency efforts are paying off, but ‘projected’ savings aren’t the same as audited, realized reductions in spending. Delaware taxpayers should see clear, line-item evidence that programs are smaller, more efficient or eliminated altogether – not just reorganized.”

Similarly, Joseph Fulgham, the Director of Policy & Communications for the Delaware House of Representatives Republican Caucus, said, “Our members support any efforts aimed at making Delaware government more cost-effective and efficient, so I don’t want to disparage any of the work done by GEAR,” said . He added, “The work of GEAR is laudable and needs to continue, but we’re falling far short of the type of reforms we need to make Delaware more business-friendly, efficient, responsive, and responsible.”

There is a related concern that while digital upgrades and new platforms can improve service, they can bring their own ongoing costs for software, consultants and cybersecurity. Some fiscal conservatives say they want to see whether long-term operating budgets actually shrink or whether new systems simply become another permanent layer of government.

Recommendations: more training, more tech — and more AI

To “build on current momentum,” the report recommends:

Continuing to expand employee training in leadership, continuous improvement and project management through the First State Quality Improvement Fund.
Broadening Ready in Six permitting reforms across DelDOT, DNREC and OMB, and exploring a virtual one-stop permitting system for better predictability and faster turnaround times for businesses and developers.
Scaling digital services through the Go DE platform so residents and visitors can access government services from any device at any time.
Adopting emerging tools, including artificial intelligence and business process analytics, to speed up work and improve measurable outcomes.

Good-government advocates generally welcome better data and faster permitting, but there is concern that using AI inside government must be paired with strong safeguards, transparency and clear limits to protect privacy and civil liberties.

Charles Clark, Exec Director of GEAR from Delaware.gov website.

“With more than 175 State employees engaged in training, applying Lean methods, and leading projects across Delaware government, the drive for greater efficiency and a culture of continuous improvement continues to grow,” said the GEAR Program Management Team — Executive Director Charles Clark, Deputy Director Daniel Madrid and Bryan Sullivan, OMB’s Director of Management Efficiency.

Fulgham commented that “I’m a little disappointed the GEAR report cited ‘Ready in Six’ as a noteworthy accomplishment. The Delaware Business Roundtable and its partners launched this initiative in December 2019, noting that it took businesses seeking to locate or expand in Delaware up to 24 months to obtain all the necessary permits to move forward–much longer than many competing states. The initiative’s goal was to streamline the process and reduce the delay to six months. The governor’s press release touted permitting processing reductions of ‘four business weeks.’ That’s welcome news, but it’s been six years since this initiative was proposed, and we still don’t appear to be anywhere close to making Ready in Six an actual reality.

The full 2025 GEAR report is available through the Office of Management and Budget and outlines next steps in the state’s modernization agenda for residents, businesses and taxpayers.

New Office of Inspector General aims at oversight — with questions about independence

In a related move, Meyer in August signed Senate Bill 4, creating Delaware’s first independent Office of Inspector General, a long-discussed reform that passed with bipartisan support. The state is now accepting applications for the position through Dec. 15.

“Creating an Office of Inspector General is a major step toward a more open, accountable, and trustworthy state government,” Meyer said when signing the bill. “We are looking for applicants with unquestionable integrity, deep experience in oversight or investigations, and a demonstrated commitment to public service.”

The new office will investigate waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement or corruption in state government. It is expected to coordinate with — but not replace — the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Auditor of Accounts.

Under the statute, a selection panel appointed by the Secretary of State will review candidates and recommend a short list to the governor. From that list, the governor will nominate one candidate for Senate confirmation to a five-year term.

Supporters say the structure will give the office independence and stability across administrations. Sen. Hocker said, “The new Office of the Inspector General offers the opportunity for independent assessment, if it can avoid political pressure. The Governor and his appointees still play a central role in the selection process.”

The office is expected to work alongside existing oversight bodies such as the State Auditor, Attorney General and Public Integrity Commission and issue public annual reports outlining investigations, findings and recommendations.

Delaware Budget Cost vs. potential savings

The office is expected to require an annual budget of about $1.5 million. Backers argue that Inspector General’s offices in other states have routinely saved or recovered many times their operating costs through audits, investigations and enforcement actions.

More than 30 states operate some form of an Inspector General’s office, though their structure and powers vary widely. Supporters in Delaware say the new office, if given sufficient independence and resources, could be one of the few initiatives that truly pays for itself by rooting out fraud and waste.

Sen. Hocker added, “The new Office of the Inspector General offers the opportunity for independent assessment, if it can avoid political pressure. The Governor and his appointees still play a central role in the selection process.”

For now, the GEAR Board’s report and the creation of an Inspector General mark parallel efforts: one focused on internal process improvements and technology upgrades, the other on independent oversight. Taxpayers who have watched state spending climb in recent years will be watching to see whether either effort produces lasting, measurable savings — not just new reports and new offices.