Building Upland's Future Part 5: Organizational Assessment Summary

Post 5: Organizational Assessment Summary

The recent organizational assessment took a comprehensive look beyond simple staffing numbers and examined how Upland’s government is structured. The findings were sobering more than 200 deficiencies were identified across departments. These shortcomings are not the result of lack of effort from staff but rather the consequence of outdated reporting structures, fragmented lines of responsibility, and a lack of leadership depth in key areas.

For example, in the Engineering Division, the shortage of supervisory staff has created bottlenecks that delay project delivery and increase costs. In Utilities, the field workforce is stretched too thin, leaving little capacity for routine preventative maintenance, which only accelerates long-term infrastructure problems. In Parks and Recreation, outdated facilities and a scattered portfolio of responsibilities make it difficult to provide residents with consistent, reliable service. Even inter-departmental coordination suffers: Public Works and Development Services, which must work hand-in-hand on reviewing and approving permits, often experience strained communication that slows growth, frustrates residents, and discourages investment.

The assessment confirmed what many residents already sense — Upland has been relying on a patchwork system for too long. Departments are working hard but are hampered by outdated structures and chronic understaffing. If Upland is to meet the demands of today and prepare for the future, the city must take decisive steps to modernize its organizational structure, strengthen leadership capacity, and realign responsibilities in a way that supports efficiency, accountability, and better service to the community.