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Performance measurement in Saskatoon, Sk, Can
--- Received from FINANCE.BERNSD 240-777-8886 00-07-10 15.52 ------------------------------------------------------
-> dcpm@raw.rutgers.edu
Cal McCarthy from Saskatoon asked for information and examples on input and output forms for measurement information.
David Bernstein responds.
Got a few questions that might help clarify, and get you what you need.
1) Are you interested in establishing a municipality-wide system, or a system for one department or agency?
2) What is the impetus for this effort? Is it being driven by elected officials, or by a central service within the
municipal government (e.g., budget office, finance office, chief administrative officer? Is there a high-ranking government
elected or appointed official that will be a champion for this effort?
3) Are you more focused on information with which to hold the government accountable, or information on how the community is
doing?
4) Who is your intended audience for the "output documents?" What do you hope to achieve by publishing the performance
measurement information?
5) Will you be using performance information as part of your budget process? Will you be attempting to benchmark with other
jurisdictions? That could influence the format and potential uses of information.
6) Does Saskatoon have a budget for this effort, or have you been encouraged to "just do it?" This will also influence the
format and content.
I truly think that the context information requested above will be needed in your effort to get information and examples that
are relevant to Saskatoon.
In the meantime, I encourage you to take a look at the GASB website (www.seagov.org).
A. Select the third item on the list (performance measurement for government).
B. Then select the hyperlink for "What you can find on this site."
C. Select "Performance Measures." Take a look at the first two items labeled "Links" in the middle of the page. You will
find lots of useful examples of measurement pages available on the web.
I can think of six useful examples. These are provided in GASB's case studies on local governments with long-term experience
in developing, using, and reporting performance measures. The state cases are useful, but the local cases may be more
relevant. Check http://www.rutgers.edu/Accounting/raw/seagov/pmg/index.html. Step B above gets you to the page with a
hyperlink to the GASB state and local case studies. Select "Case Studies of State and Local Government Performance
Measurement." Portland, Oregon and Prince William County, Virginia put a heavy emphasis on reporting with their Service
Effort and Accomplishment Reports. Both jurisdictions include historical presentations of measures, as well as benchmark
comparisons with similar jurisdictions. Both emphasize high priority measures, not all of the measures within the
jurisdiction, with mostly community-focused measures. Winston-Salem, NC produces annual business plans for each department
and office. These are more detailed plans focused on specific government activities. Hyperlinks in all of these cases will
take you to their on-line webpages.
Hope this is helpful.
David J. Bernstein, Ph.D.
Evaluation Manager, Montgomery County Finance Department
and
Research Consultant, Governmental Accounting Standards Board
From: Cal.McCarthy@City.Saskatoon.Sk.CA
To: dcpm@raw.rutgers.edu
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 13:22:59 -0600
Subject: Performance measurement in Saskatoon, Sk, Can
We're just getting into this process in our municipality. I'm looking for
information on developing a process for collecting data, and reporting on
the same data. I understand some jurisdictions report as part of their
budget process and some use a separate report altogether.
If anyone could send me some sample input and as well as sample output
documents I would appreciate.
Please feel free to contact me if any questions.
Cal McCarthy
Fiscal Analyst
Ph (306) 975-2857
Fax (306) 975-7878
Cal.McCarthy@City.Saskatoon.Sk.CA
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