Sponsor: County Manager's Office
Title
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Minnesota Council on Local Results and Innovation’s Performance Measurement Program
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Recommendation
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1. Approve continuation of Ramsey County's participation in the Minnesota Council on Local Results and Innovation's Performance Measurement Program, as well as public distribution of the performance measures report via the county's website.
2. Ratify the County Manager’s submission of Ramsey County’s annual report of its adopted performance measures to the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor.
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Background and Rationale
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In 2010, the Minnesota Legislature created the Council on Local Results and Innovation with the direction to develop standard performance measures and comprehensive performance measurement systems for cities and counties. The purpose of the Minnesota State Auditor Performance Measurement Program for Local Governments ("Program") is to "aid residents, taxpayers, and state and local elected officials in determining the efficacy and effectiveness of counties and cities in providing services, and measure residents' opinions of those services " (Minn. Statute 6.90, Subd. 2). Each participating county is required to select measures from the 27 items identified in the "Standard Measures for Counties" prepared by the Council on Local Results and Innovation (Attachment 1), implement a system for measuring them, and report the Minnesota Council on Local Results and Innovation - State Auditor Performance results to residents by the end of that calendar year. The report to residents should be distributed through publication, direct mailing, website posting or at a public hearing at which the budget and levy will be discussed and public input be allowed.
In 2013, Ramsey County staff examined the items listed in the "Standard Measures for Counties" and selected measures that provide a brief, high-level view of the county. These are the same measures that are proposed for submission this publishing year. They include:
• Crime rates per 100,000 residents
• Average county pavement condition rating
• Percentage of low birth-weight births
• Property value assessment ratios
• Accuracy of post-election audit (percent of ballots counted accurately)
• Dollars brought into county for veterans’ benefits
• Number of annual park and library visits per 1,000 residents
• County bond ratings
• Recycling percentage
On June 25, 2013, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved county participation in the Program and the list of measures (Resolution 2013-182). The county has continued to participate in the Program. The 2022 Ramsey County Minnesota Local Government Performance Measures Report (Attachment 2) was prepared according to the Program requirements. This report was posted on the county website. The same process for publishing and making the report available will be followed in 2023.
One of the benefits from participating in the Program is a reimbursement of up to $25,000 from the state of Minnesota. In past years, the funds have been used to fund the work of the county’s Policy & Planning Division in the County Manager’s Office to maintain and refine the county’s performance measurement processes, and to fund the county’s Progressive Internship Program.
To participate in this voluntary program, Ramsey County must file a report with the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor by July 1. The report includes a resolution to demonstrate the county’s continued commitment to the program, including the submission of the report to the Minnesota Office of the State Auditor and the release of its performance measures report to the public.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Tracking the county’s performance over time in areas such as crime rates and low birth weight-indicators of outcomes that have disproportionate impact across race and ethnicity-help the county track its success in meeting its racial equity goals. Additionally, one benefit of participation in this program is a reimbursement from the state of up to $25,000, which supports the county’s Progressive Internship Program. The Progressive Internship Program provides paid internship opportunities to Saint Paul College and Metropolitan State University students, institutions with highly diverse student bodies. Drawing from a more diverse pool of internship applicants enables the county to hire interns that more accurately represent the diversity of county residents.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Every year, when Ramsey County submits Performance Measures Report to the Office of the State Auditor, the county also publishes the report on its own website, in the interest of greater transparency and accountability. While there was no direct community engagement with this request for proposals, community is engaged through departmental measures that align with the measurements identified by staff.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The program has a financial benefit to encourage county participation: a reimbursement of $0.14 per capita, not to exceed $25,000. Ramsey County will be eligible for the $25,000 maximum under this program due to the size of its population. The County Manager's approved 2023 budget includes the estimated annual revenue from this program.
Last Previous Action
On June 21, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved the continued participation in the State Auditor Performance Measurement Program as well as public distribution of the performance measures report via the county’s website (Resolution B2022-146).
On June 25, 2013, the Ramsey County Board approved participation in the Minnesota State Auditor Performance Measurement Program and directed the County Manager to implement the program (Resolution 2013-182).
Attachments
1. Standard Measures for Counties
2. MN Council on Local Results and Innovation’s Performance Measurement Program: 2022 Report
3. MN Council on Local Results and Innovation’s Performance Measurement Program: 2023 Report