As part of a comprehensive planning process, Gwinnett County commissioners sought information about how county ethics ordinances are viewed in Georgia counties and elsewhere in the country. Institute legal experts conducted a study of ethics ordinances that focused on seven other Georgia counties and 13 nationally that are comparable in size to Gwinnett. The final report also included information and options for establishing a permanent ethics board and an employee ethics education program.

Other assistance included a study on alternatives for organizing firefighting and emergency medical services for Lee County, an extensive review of community perceptions about public safety services provided by the Savannah–Chatham County Metropolitan Police Department, and a workload study of Fulton County's child advocate attorneys.

Vinson Institute faculty have developed an acclaimed process for helping communities understand the many factors related to consolidation, incorporation, and annexation. In 2007, studies related to these topics were conducted for the areas of Dunwoody and Milton.

The Human Resource Management Program is held in high regard by state and local governments and public safety units for its responsiveness and attention to detail in carrying out employee classification and compensation studies, executive searches, and promotions systems exams. Such outreach enables clients to attract, motivate, and retain quality workforces that best serve the public.

Geographic information systems specialists assisted governments in maximizing various efficiencies in such areas as mapping state roads, digitizing paper documents, and making electronic information available for public use.