3. Key Measures of SEA Performance
Effective SEA reports focus on key measures. In doing so, the following needs to be considered for inclusion within a SEA report:
- Include a limited number of measures that focuses on information that is essential to assessing level of performance
The SEA performance measures reported, while limited in number, need to provide a basis for users to have sufficient information to assess the results of the programs and services being reported.
- Provide information about the achievement of major goals and objectives
The SEA performance measures selected need to provide a basis for assessing the achievement of the major goals and objectives of the program or service.
- Include, where feasible, SEA performance measures from each of the three types included in the table below*:
* This table was reprinted with permission of the The Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and can be found in the publication, Suggested Guidelines for Voluntary Reporting, SEA Performance Information.
- Include comparisons that assist in assessing performance
Key measures should include comparisons against the entities performance over time and against internally established targets. Other types of comparisons can be made such as: (a) information disaggregated by region, geographic area, neighborhood within the government, or economic or demographic characteristics, (b) with other governments providing similar services, (c) and against regional or national standards or benchmarks.
The following are examples of key measures of SEA performance sections from governmental entity performance reports:
Key Measures – Bellevue, WA [Type of Gov: Mayor; Pop.;126,626; Land Area: 33.9 Sq. Miles; Budget:$832,936,837]
Key Measures – Guilford County, NC [Pop.; 472,216; Land Area: 649 Sq. Miles; Budget:$586,110,932]
Key Measures – King County, WA [Pop.: 1,916,441; Land Area: 2,307 Sq. Miles; Budget:$5,001,000,000]
Key Measures – Lauderhill, FL [Type of Gov: City Manager-Mayor-Commission; Pop.: 7,073; Land Area: 8.6 Sq. Miles; Budget: $104,846,220]
Key Measures – Minneapolis, MN [Type of Gov: Mayor; Pop.: 386,691; Land Area: 58.4 Sq. Miles; Budget: $1,280,000,000]
Key Measures – Phoenix, AZ [Type of Gov: Council-Manager; Pop.:1,601,587; Land Area: 519 Sq. Miles; Budget: $1,111,799,000]
Key Measures – Saco, ME [Type of Gov: Mayor-Council; Pop.:16,822; Land Area: 39.3 Sq. Miles; Budget: $18,646,881]