The following article appeared in the October 1, 2004, edition of The Oregonian. Read the article on their web site here.
Read more about the PSG's Budgeting for Outcomes approach here.
Multnomah County leaders are out to boost access for residents, heighten
efficiency and save tax dollars
by David Austin
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners agreed Thursday on six broad
priorities as a part of a strategic process to revamp the way county
services are delivered.
Officials agreed in principle to the priorities that are designed to make
county government more understandable and accessible to residents, they
said.
"We've taken some really big steps that will make us work better and more
efficiently," Commissioner Serena Cruz said.
The priorities came as officials look for ways to save money and cut down on
repetition of services in county programs.
Officials also are looking for ways outside the normal budgeting process --
usually finalized in May -- to cut roughly $30 million if voters repeal the
three-year county income tax on Nov. 2.
Specialized work groups made up of county employees and others came up with
the priorities, along with a list of indicators on how to meet them. Every
county department or program will be attached to one of the priorities.
Once all departments and programs are listed, officials will rank them by
importance. Those at the bottom of the list could be cut.
A consultant hired by the county last month helped with the process and
oversaw all the work, Cruz said. The priorities are: Making sure all
residents and families have their basic living needs met. Officials said
this segment would be measured by how many people at or below the poverty
level are served by county programs.
Figuring out how residents can remain safe at home, work, school and at
play. Officials will include area crime rates and the percentage of
residents convicted of crimes as a gauge.
Departments would include the sheriff and district attorney offices,
emergency management, jails and domestic violence programs.
Holding county government accountable at all levels by looking at the levels
of trust and confidence residents have in officials. Under this category
would be the Elections Division, the auditor's office and the board.
Developing a thriving economy by improving the employment rate for real-wage
jobs. The county's Strategic Investment and its Capital Improvement programs
would fall under this heading, along with departments that handle the roads
and bridges.
Measuring how well students perform. Officials would monitor test scores,
graduation rates and other data to see whether programs are helping students
and families. Among the programs covered would be libraries, after-school
programs, school-based health clinics and early childhood intervention
programs.
Having clean, healthy neighborhoods that foster a sense of community by
looking at reducing congestion and health risks. Libraries would fall under
this category, along with land-use planning, Animal Control and the arts.
Cruz said that beginning Oct. 12, the county plans to hold public meetings
in all four county districts.
The board decided in early September to hire Minnesota-based consultant
Public Strategies Group for $225,000 to help officials decide how to best
determine what programs might need to be cut. Board members took heat for
spending nearly a $250,000 so much during tight budgets.
For the current fiscal year ending in June, the county has a budget of about
$311.9 million for programs. If voters repeal the county's income tax --
which generates about $128 million for schools, jails and social services --
a number of programs are likely to be cut.
Read more about the PSG's Budgeting for Outcomes approach here.
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