Laserfiche WebLink
years in various formats, but has never consolidated the data into a comprehensive <br /> format. Staff has been working for several months to achieve this objective. <br /> Generally speaking, performance measures help the City acknowledge successes and <br /> make resource decisions to address needs of the community that current services may <br /> not meet. In tough economic times, measuring progress is especially important in <br /> helping the City allocate scarce resources where they are most needed. <br /> Ongoing, the goal is to measure against data from previous years and to set meaningful <br /> targets for key service areas. Targets are generally derived from approved general <br /> plans, master plans, as well as internal and external benchmarks and established <br /> industry standards. By measuring our programs using a variety of data, we can see <br /> how Pleasanton's present state relates to its past indicators and future goals and <br /> objectives. Ultimately, the measures provide direction for resource allocation. <br /> HOW TO INTERPRET THE DATA <br /> The attached documents highlight key service areas (see Exhibit B). Data comes from <br /> budgeted funding in the Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program <br /> documents, department program tracking, master plans, and community and business <br /> surveys. In regards to the former, survey results have been incorporated into the <br /> attached information. Also, because of the inaugural scope of this report, some <br /> measures have been developed for the first time this year and no data is available. <br /> Over time, as data becomes available it will provide a more complete picture of the <br /> City's accomplishments. <br /> The report shows the relative resources devoted to each area, the volume of outputs for <br /> each area, and the outcomes or actual results. Measuring program outcomes can be <br /> the most challenging exercise but is the most meaningful as it expresses whether our <br /> efforts are accomplishing the intended results. For example, during the last several <br /> years, the City experienced a series of financial challenges that required the City <br /> Council to make budget cuts in several priority areas. However, the City has worked <br /> hard to find ways to maintain service levels despite reduced resources. The resulting <br /> cuts are evidenced in the changes in resource allocations in some areas. <br /> KEY SERVICE AREAS: <br /> The attached material is organized into 7 key service areas, as follows: Public Safety, <br /> Dependable Infrastructure, Economic Development, Community Development, Library <br /> Services, Financial Stability, and Community Services. <br /> The following are highlights from each service area. <br /> 1. Public Safety services remain a high priority service. Police emergency and <br /> non-emergency response times remain at or better than the General Plan <br /> standard of 4 minutes and 20 minutes, respectively. As growth is contemplated <br /> in the East Side and infill development progresses in the future, it will be <br /> important for the City to closely monitor response times to ensure conformance <br /> Page 3of8 <br />