The aggravation of back-to-school has nothing on back-to-the-budget.

Last Monday, Mt. Lebanon commissioners and administrators figuratively walked through the 136-page study they commissioned to California-based Matrix Consulting Group.

There were few surprises. Matrix already had released previous drafts, to which the municipality provided initial response. But the trick now is trying to incorporate such recommendations in a practical way.

"The real hard work, as it relates to the implementation of the study, is just beginning," said Stephen Feller, municipal manager.

"This was a nice opportunity, outside of a budget setting, to look at the alternatives."

Matrix will be paid a minimum of $65,000 for its work, with bonus incentives based on Mt. Lebanon's actual savings. It was hired, according to the report, "to assist the municipality in its continued efforts to streamline operations while maintaining existing service levels in an increasingly challenging economic environment."

Recommended improvements for the management of the municipality included reducing the police midnight shift staff by one person, the public works staff by two people in labor positions, and a half-shift in fleet maintenance, he said.

Other recommendations included the fire department updating its pre-fire planning through new Fire Look Pro software, as well as allowing simple building permits to be obtained through an online program.

"A fair amount of our discussion was of what impact those changes would have," Mr. Feller said. "What is up next are really budgetary issues."

Mt. Lebanon unveils its municipal budget each year at the beginning of November.

"The Matrix report highlights potential areas we need to look at more closely ... [with] the economic environment we're in right now, even without the Matrix report, we're looking for ways to reduce costs."