How the City of Utrecht achieved major budget savings through innovative service reviews

Abstract

When a coalition government took office in the City of Utrecht in 2010, it was faced with central government-imposed austerity. The cabinet eventually agreed on a durable budget reduction of EUR 55 million from 2014 and onwards which this corresponded to a 10% cut of the discretionary budget every year. During a period of six months, 11 service reviews were carried out, inspired by new ideas stimulated by bench-marking against the 'best in class' in the Netherlands. Although the process was highly political, complex, and brought together multiple interests, it resulted in 32 reform proposals with an estimated EUR 66 million in budget savings for the City of Utrecht.