Governor’s Grants Conference 2011 Performance Measurement Communicating Your Agency Performance through Citizen-Centric Reporting Presentation by Evie Barry, Association of Government Accountants

Association of Government Accountants 15,000+ Members in % are employed by state/local governments in the area of accounting, auditing, budgeting, investigations, finance, performance, grants Certification offered – Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

AGA’s Mission The Association of Government Accountants serves government accountability professionals by providing quality education, fostering professional development and certification and supporting standards and research to advance government accountability.

Strategic Goals Member Value Thought Leadership Empowerment Certification – CGFM Collaboration

Government Accountability as defined by AGA: “A government’s obligation to its people for its actions and use of resources.”

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMS Citizen Centric Reporting Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts & Accomplishments Reporting

Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting Federal Agency Performance and Accountability Reports are reviewed and evaluated by AGA Awards are given to those agencies whose reports are deemed excellent

Certificate of Achievement in Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA) Program’s Mission: to stimulate and help state and local governments prepare comprehensive performance reports that inform the public, elected officials and management about their governments efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

Certificate of Excellence in Citizen Centric Reporting CCRs are: Intended to foster innovative means of communication between governments and their citizenry To make governments more accountable to their citizens, and help Americans become better educated and better able to participate in government activities.

CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTING AGA Survey (2008 and 2010) Dissatisfied citizens Reporting too technical Distrust in government Entitled to transparent financial information Governments have an obligation to provide this information The ProblemCitizens Believe

CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTING Conclusions

CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTING Commitment

CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTING The Answer

Constructing a Report – Page 1 What is the Government Chartered to do?

Page 1 Elements  Table of Contents  How entity is organized/operates  Key Accomplishments  Organization Mission/Goals Key Tips  Reuse existing content  Refer to existing sources

Constructing a Report – Page 2 Performance Information on Key Missions and Service (cont’d)

CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT REPORTING

Page 2 Elements  Selected performance measures (from CAFR)  Incorporates pictures and other graphics Key Tips  Provide multi-year context  Compare to similar cities

Constructing a Report – Page 3 Include revenue and cost data for major areas Use pie charts Reference audit conducted Reference website for detailed financial information Revenues and Expenditures

Page 3 Elements  Free of technical language  Charts to display revenues and expenses  Audit statement  Location of complete financial information Key Tip  Seven or fewer categories on bar and/or pie charts

Constructing a Report – Page 4 Include items specific to the community that will have future effects (economic changes, tax cuts or increases, major new employer, employer leaving, unemployment, technological improvements, infrastructure improvements, education, environmental aspects, being transparent, etc) Ask for feedback by including a contact name and contact information Future Challenges and Economic Outlook

Constructing a Report – Page 4 Future Challenges and Economic Outlook (cont’d)

Page 4 Elements  Future challenges affecting the entity  How to follow-up and provide feedback Key Tips  Distribute report both electronically and in print  Issue in timely manner

Constructing A Report Design Guidelines

Tools and Guidance Online

Best Practices in Developing a Report Remember that the readers are average citizens – come at it from their perspective Look at completed reports for ideas Assign each page to a different individual and/or team Use AGA’s Content and Design Guideline Templates Cut and paste effort from government’s website and published reports

Distribute the Report/Feedback Print in local newspaper Post to website Print bulk copies – libraries, grocery stores, city hall Hold a press conference Governor’s office and government officials Activist groups Ask for feedback Web statistics Calls to office Mentions in the media

Completed Reports AGA Local Governments: Beavercreek Township Fire Dept, OH Benton County Treasurer, WA Blount County, TN City of Bellevue, WA City of Boise, ID City of Columbus, IN City and County of Denver City of Jefferson, MO City of Kentwood, MI City of Lancaster, MA City of Las Vegas, NM City of Lexington, KY City of NAPA, CA City of Palo Alto, CA City of Portland, OR City of Portsmouth, VA City of Saco, ME City of San Mateo, CA City of Scottsdale, AZ City of Stamford, CT City of Tallahassee, FL Cumberland County, PA District of Columbia Guilford County, NC King County, WA Maricopa County, AZ

Completed Reports Local Governments (cont’d): Metro Govt of Nashville/Davidson Cnty, TN Palm Beach County Tax Collector, FL Springfield-Greene County Health Dept, MO St Louis County, MN The Village of Los Lunas, NM Town of Sahuarita, AZ Educational Institutions: Evansville School District Guam Community College Guam Public School System University of Guam AGA Chapters: Aroostook County, ME Greater Columbus, OH Guam

Completed Reports (Cont’d) State Governments: Idaho State Police State of Idaho State of Maryland MA Developmental Disabilities Council State of Nevada State of New York State of Oregon State of South Carolina TN Comptroller of the Treasury State of Texas State of Washington State of Washington Audit Federal Government: US Coast Guard Denali Commission General Services Administration National Science Foundation The Architect of the Capitol Treasury Franchise Fund USAID US Department of Defense US Department of the Interior Other: FMI Canada

Awards Program

AGA Online