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By Mark P. Couch, Denver Post Business Writer
Denver Mayor-elect John Hickenlooper on Wednesday hosted a tutorial on efficient government practices for his transition team that blended how-to advice with the good cheer of a pep rally.
About 200 volunteers gathered in a ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts to hear four experts explain ways to improve how the city provides government services.
"Don't dream small," advised Camille Barnett, former city manager of Austin, Texas.
Under Barnett, the city of Austin boosted employee productivity by passing decision-making power to the workers and providing pay incentives.
"People change because they see it's in their self-interest to change," Barnett said.
An important part of changing a city government is measuring how it provides services, said Leif Dormsjo, deputy director of operations for the city of Baltimore's CitiStat program.
Dormsjo explained the CitiStat system tracks everything from pothole complaints to high-crime zones. The mayor then meets regularly with department heads to focus on improving services.
"Make data the religious devotion of your administration and focus on the things that are important to your mission," Dormsjo said.
In Baltimore, that mission is fighting "crime and grime" to make the city safer and cleaner. By tracking murder locales, the city can send more police to troubled neighborhoods.
The city has cut annual murders to about 250 - down from more than 300 per year every year during the 1990s.
His office has a $350,000 budget, but claims credit for helping save more than $43 million during the past two years.
After the luncheon meeting Tuesday, Hickenlooper said his experience visiting the Baltimore city government inspired him to run for office. Hickenlooper visited several cities during the past year while considering an election bid.
Dana Bryson, chief of staff to Oakland's city manager, offered advice on measuring worker performance and improving the city budgeting process to keep departments focused on improving services.
She also explained that politics can affect how well a city pursues its goals to become more efficient.
"We finally got the mayor and council to agree on goals," Bryson said. "Can I hear a 'Hallelujah'?"
Patricia Gabow, chief executive of Denver Health Medical Center, said keys to improving are transforming the way workers are paid and how products are purchased.
Please contact Camille for more information.
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