Ensuring Infrastructure Spending Accountability

Government Executive

The White House released new guidance on Friday on how agencies can ensure “accountability, effectiveness and transparency” in implementation of the $1 trillion infrastructure law enacted in November. The guidance provides direction on using data and evidence in designing programs; planning program implementation in order to be consistent with the law; documenting reviews and selections for discretionary programs; reporting on awards; and more.

Prioritizing Street Light Repairs

RouteFifty

With 5,000 broken streetlights and a repair staff short 10 workers, San Diego developed an algorithm to help prioritize fixes.

Dark Ages of Performance Management: The Case of COVID-19 Programs

PATimes (Samuel Kurtz)

The City of Tulsa failed to develop adequate performance management systems to optimize service delivery. . . . this is a ubiquitous story that we are beginning to uncover in cities that simultaneously restructure block grants as project-based grants and employ cross-sector contracting in public service delivery.

How Data-Driven Policies Can Help States and Localities

RouteFifty

State and local officials have emphasized the importance of governments basing decisions on data, saying it has helped localities address inequities and avoid pitfalls with the nation’s sharp political divisions.

Resource of the Week:  International City/County Management Association

This international professional association for city and county managers is an early advocate of the development and use of performance information in government. As part of its broader mission, it sponsors training, research and publications on the topic and partners with other organizations to advocate for its use.