J.R. 7

1996 JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, Harford County held a symposium on September 28, 1995 for the
purpose of encouraging jurisdictional benchmarking so proven strategies of improving
operational efficiency and effectiveness could be shared with one another in the spirit of
a progressive local government partnership for the future; and

WHEREAS, The State's Legislative Auditor (Office of Legislative Audits,
Department of Fiscal Services) recommended in a special report to the Joint Budget and
Audit Committee on May 9, 1995, entitled Use of Performance Measures to Improve
Accountability, that the State should shift towards performance measuring through
statutory directive; and

WHEREAS, Beyond Maryland, (1) the United States Congress mandated that all
federal agencies — via the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act — effect
performance measuring by the year 2000; (2) that 18 states have enacted legislation to
adopt reforms that stress accountability for results through the resource allocation
process; and (3) that the Government Finance Officers Association found in a recent
study of 554 budgets for counties and cities across the country that 330 or 60% utilize
performance measures; and

WHEREAS, Performance-based governance will not solve all the fiscal difficulties
facing local governments nor should overnight results be expected; however, it is
reflective of the local governments' ongoing commitment to identify and document the
programs, policies and practices that govern their usage of scarce financial resources; and

WHEREAS, County and municipal governments in Maryland have always taken
pride in being on the "cutting edge" with respect to the efficient delivery of public
services and responsiveness to the concerns of their citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Local governments' pursuit of performance-based governance with its
reliance on performance measuring is envisioned to bolster public confidence, improve
operational efficiency and strengthen accountability in ways that continue to make local
governments in Maryland efficiency-related models worthy of emulation; and

WHEREAS, This Resolution should not be construed, either directly or indirectly,
as a State mandate for county and municipal governments to initiate performance-based
governance; but, instead, to familiarize and inform local governments about the concept
so they can determine whether or not it is suitable for guiding their practices and policies
through the economic uncertainties of the 1990's; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That local
governments of the State are encouraged to consider the concept of performance-based
governance with its reliance on performance measuring for its applicability and usage in
guiding their practices and policies in order to greet the 21st Century with a competitive
advantage; and be it further

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