Report identifies key performance metrics; promotes transparency and opportunities for increased efficiency

The town of Gilbert is pleased to present its first benchmark report, which is available online at http://www.gilbertaz.gov/home/showdocument?id=2862. Created as a component of the town’s performance management strategy, the report includes 83 measures across 17 departments, utilizing a total of 33 benchmarks in 15 states. Ten Arizona communities are listed as benchmarks.

Navigating the Report
Page 11 provides a map of the benchmark communities in each state; pages 12-15 include a matrix of the benchmarks and departments, as well as some high-level comparative data, such as median home value and per capita income. Department benchmarks begin on page 17.

Benchmark Uses and Benefit to Citizens
Benchmarks provide greater context to municipal operations and are a valuable tool in gauging performance. They allow a city or town to look outside its four walls to examine how it compares to other municipalities of similar size and function. Similarly, benchmarks offer citizens perspective on the various services their city or town provides. For example: How many acres of developed parks are in each community? What are average response times for fire and emergency services? How do local sales tax rates compare? What would an average monthly water bill cost?

These measures and many more are included in the report.

For the town of Gilbert, benchmarks were also designed to identify not only where the town is excelling, but also where the organization might look to incorporate demonstrated successes and process improvements that other organizations have explored.

As other cities and towns explore similar efforts, each will be able to share data and compare operations – all with the ultimate goal of determining the services and offerings that are best fit for each community. To that end, the town of Gilbert is a member of the Valley Benchmarking Cities group through the Alliance for Innovation and ASU, a group comprised of several Phoenix metropolitan area cities that meet monthly to share and discuss performance metric data. The member cities have been a tremendous help in sharing data and providing feedback on the Gilbert report. The town looks forward to continuing its work with this group.

Through these and other efforts, the town of Gilbert’s performance management strategy drives the organization to continually seek new opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services.

Questions? Comments? Visit http://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/management-budget.

The fact that Arizona is a “leader of science, technology, and innovation” must be celebrated. During Arizona SciTech, this is exactly the commitment Arizonans enthusiastically fulfill.

While the festival generates awareness of what an “immense potential” both research and technology offer to the state’s bright future,  residents engaging in its various events and activities will also encompass the significant roles both fields have played throughout  Arizona’s past and in maintaining its dignitary present. The SciTech Festival is recognized state-wide as a “powerful vehicle for leveraging productive synergy in the scientific, educational, and business communities.” This  celebration continues to not only further address the state’s education, economic, and workforce needs, but is dedicated to increasing the number of future leaders and innovators in all STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Throughout both February and March, cities and towns will commence SciTech Festival in unique and fun ways. Residents scattered throughout Arizona will appreciate the especially diverse scattering of event settings, and can count on topics and activities that will capture their interest. From concerts to workshops, the majority of occurrences are free, completely open to the public, and even within close proximity of public transportation.

The City of Glendale kicks off its 2nd Annual Passport to science Series. A proud partner of the Arizona SciTech Festival, Glendale is hosting a series of events to promote science, technology, engineering and math within their city. They are also collaborating with the Glendale-based HEROES for Students in a joint initiative to promote science to students.

The City of Cottonwood will host an interactive session of water system testing followed by a tour of it’s wastewater treatment plant. Residents will see how their city utilizes biology and chemistry to not only turn wastewater into reclaimed water, but even recycle it.

The City of Chandler will dedicate three days to invention exploration. Residents can take advantage of the unique opportunities to explore the discoveries and science instrumental to daily life.

The Town of Gilbert is giving residents and visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the science of the city, with tours featuring its water treatment plant and innovative solar projects.

The City of Tempe will blend science, technology and fun during its Geek’s Night Out. This family-friendly event will host several booths showing how the next generation of Tempe’s workforce  is using science to address world-wide concerns.

The City of Buckeye held its air fair event last weekend, where attendees enjoyed seeing aviation demonstrations, aircraft displays, and even a car show, among many other features.

 The City of Scottsdale’s Science Week promises fun for everyone as residents fuel their imaginations and learn about the science’s contribution to baseball and various city services. 

To learn about the Arizona  Sci-Tech Festival and see a full listing of upcoming events, visit: azscitechfest.org.

http://youtu.be/bgrHjChMEOU

In Apache Junction, George Hoffman serves as the City Manager. Serving his community since 1987, Hoffman is an excellent leader, implementing long-lasting improvements and holding high ethical standards. He has prepared the community for growth, positively positioned the community with a low level of bonded indebtedness and demonstrated that Apache Junction is a community on the forefront with the first LEED Certified municipal building in Arizona.

George has not only benefited the citizens of Apache Junction; he strives to ensure positive and proactive partnerships with the business community, as well as other government entities in the region. Hoffman said that as city employees, they are “blessed to have responsibility for an organization and for a community.” He said that they “do not ‘own’ the organization, but we have the opportunity to serve others and to leave an organization and a community better than when we started.”

For his leadership and dedication, George recently received the 2013 Dwight W. Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Valley Partnership.

City managers like George are some of the many people who make Arizona cities and towns work!