Strategic Community Planning | Development

Benchmark CMR, Inc. has been a leader and innovator in local government contracting and outsourcing services since it was founded in 1982 as Stark-Wilson Associates. Under the leadership of Gary Wilson, the current owner/president and founding partner of the firm, Benchmark has grown and expanded its business to encompass a wide range of government service sectors and specialties. Today, Benchmark provides local government services through the company’s three operating divisions: Continuing Services, Special Projects and Grant Administration. Each division is focused on providing Benchmark’s clients with solutions that are scaled and tailored to their individual needs.

Through the Continuing Services division, Benchmark provides flexible staffing arrangements for its clients ranging from on-call planners, zoning administrators or code enforcement officers who respond to individual requests for service to the outsourcing of a planning, zoning and code enforcement department with full-or part-time personnel on-site during the workweek. The Special Projects division assists local government clients with the preparation of land use plans, development ordinances, annexation studies, urban design plans, strategic plans and similar projects. Benchmark also provides a full range of compliance and administrative services to Community Development Block Grant recipients through the Grant Administration division, which is capable of administering grants of all sizes and types, from water and sewer projects to housing rehabilitation to nonprofit capacity building. Although separate, the divisions work closely with each other, in many cases sharing personnel for projects in order to ensure that the correct mix of experience and ability is devoted to our clients’ projects.

The Benchmark team includes individuals that have experience on the front lines of local government – veteran planners and administrators who are dedicated to their professions, and who work closely with local government clients to provide customized solutions for their unique needs. Benchmark’s focus on the quality of its engagement with clients ensures the effectiveness of the services provided and successful implementation of clients’ plans and projects. Partnering with Benchmark brings not only expertise and commitment to a community’s project, but also a dedicated team that shares a community’s desire to fulfill its needs in a responsive, effective, and cost conscience manner.

Benchmark’s client base is comprised of a large number of long-term or repeat customers, with some relationships extending over 25 years. This ability to build and maintain strong client relationships is the result of the staff’s dedication to their professions and public service. These relationships are a hallmark and foundation of the company’s business philosophy. This philosophy is exemplified by the great lengths to which the dedicated staff members go to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

“Our dedication means that we will always be there for our clients, and that dedication is what sets the standard for our business and sets us apart from our competitors.”