Citizen Centric Reporting Baltimore Chapter September 17, 2014

AGA Mission: AGA fosters learning, certification, leadership and collaboration for professionals and stakeholders committed to advancing government accountability. Goals:Certification Member Value Thought Leadership Empowerment Collaboration Who We Are: 14,805 members are employed by federal (27%), state & local governments (42%) and the private sector, academics, retirees (31%).

AGA e-Reporting Research

e-Reporting Research Researcher: Billy Morehead, Ph.D., CGFM Sponsored by: Ernst & Young, LLP 4

e-Reporting Research Purpose of research Opportunity for entities to advance e- reporting of financial, non-financial and performance data Method Surveyed citizens, media & preparers (804) Conclusion 6 recommendations 5

e-Reporting Research AGA Definition “The government’s obligation to the people for its actions and use of resources.” 6

e-Reporting Research What is e-Reporting? “Electronic access of government financial, non-financial and performance data through a government website.” (per AGA research definition) 7

e-Reporting Research **RECOMMENDATIONS** 1)Standard setters, preparers & citizen users all, and should have a stake in the process 2)Standardization of data definitions, report content & report format is paramount 8

e-Reporting Research **RECOMMENDATIONS** 3) Trustworthiness of government information is earned and is absolutely necessary for success 4) Leverage existing technologies to “make it happen” 9

e-Reporting Research **RECOMMENDATIONS** 5) Go for low hanging fruit so small successes can be celebrated early and often 6)Leverage the convening power of AGA 10

CITIZEN CENTRIC REPORT INITIATIVE

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

Current State of Government Reporting Commitment AGA is committed to increasing the levels of transparency and accountability in government, and driving the understanding among the general public. AGA recognizes that citizens have a right to an understanding of how governments are spending their money. AGA is dedicated to improving communication tools for the public that are neither technical nor lengthy.

OR Citizen-Centric Reporting

Current State of Government Reporting “ Are Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports Useless?” For all their charts and graphs, CAFRs don’t tell public officials - - or the public -- anything about fiscal sustainability or whether a locality’s finances might be trending south. Governing – Jonathan Walters – September financial-reports-useless.html

Current State of Government Reporting “Giving Citizens Numbers They Can Understand” Governing – Bring on the Funk column – February citizen-centric-financial-reporting-accountability- transparency.html

Current State of Government Reporting “Rethink Your Annual Report” “If you’re thinking about producing a high-gloss, multicolored annual report, with the pictures, the charts and the long opening “welcome” letters from your CAO and/or top elected official, please think again.” rethink-your-annual-report Ryan Alsop, Asst. CEO, County of Los Angeles September 8, 2014

Current State of Government Reporting The Answer

Constructing a Report – Page 1 What is the Government Chartered to do? Our Mission Providing public safety across the State of Idaho through law enforcement excellence Message from the Colonel: In times of declining revenues, we at ISP don’t stop being as active as in times of plenty Mercer County 2011 Demographics Population: 366,513 No. of Households: 106,898

Current State of Government Reporting

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

Current State of Government Reporting

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

Current State of Government Reporting

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

Current State of Government Reporting

Constructing A Report Design Guidelines Guilford County Schools 4-year cohort graduation rate improved from 80.7% in FY to 83.1% in FY This compares to the state rate of 77.9%.

Tools and Guidance Online

Awards Program  Certificate of Excellence in Citizen-Centric Reporting (and Achievement Certificate)  Peer Reviewed  No Charge to Participate

One Last Takeaway

Contact Eveanna (Evie) Barry