CountyStat Receives Award for Excellence

The CountyStat program that Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett instituted in January 2008 — to increase government performance and hold those responsible accountable for the results — has just received a Certificate of Excellence from the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Center for Performance Measurement. According to the ICMA, recognition for superior performance management efforts “is testament to Montgomery County’s efforts to track, report, and act upon performance data.”

“I initiated the CountyStat program early in my first term as County Executive because I feel strongly that our residents have the right to expect every County department and employee to be responsive and accountable for every aspect of the services they are providing,” said Leggett. “Over its six years, CountyStat has increased efficiency while saving millions of dollars. I am pleased that the ICMA has recognized our program for excellence.”

“The certificate program recognizes the principles of performance management,” said Wayne Sommer, ICMA’s Director of U.S. Programs. “Jurisdictions meeting the qualifications have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement, and they serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

The CountyStat program continues to track Montgomery County’s performance in addressing challenges using real-time data and holding departments and agencies accountable for their progress and results in such areas as overtime use, youth initiatives, affordable housing, pedestrian safety, emergency preparedness, and more. The number of CountyStat presentation sessions held since the program’s inception already exceeds 170.

CountyStat has added value by enforcing “results-based accountability” and empowering the departments to make “data-driven” decisions. Over the past six years, through the efforts of CountyStat project and department management, the County has reduced projected overtime expenses in Police, Fire & Rescue, Transportation, and Corrections by more than $46 million.

Also through CountyStat efforts, the County has saved more than $8 million on printing over the last three years, reducing paper use by 55 million sheets of paper – equivalent to sparing 3,000 trees.

The CountyStat program is accessible online at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/countystat, and visitors to the site can access a wide variety of performance information, including presentations on pedestrian safety, overtime use, pothole repairs, permitting services, facilities rentals and cell phone use.

Montgomery County will be recognized at the ICMA Annual Conference in Boston, MA, September 22-25.

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