2.70.040 Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply:
A. Definitions of Terms.
1. “Activity” means reasonably similar or identical specific action(s), work, effort, function(s) or project(s), performed by a department.
2. “Benchmark” means a comparable level of service (LOS), preferably a best practice LOS, from another appropriately comparable public jurisdiction, private business, or charitable third sector entity.
3. “Goal” means a statement of direction, purpose or intent based upon the needs of the community, and, operationally, a “goal” is a broad statement of what a program expects to achieve sometime in the future.
4. “Input” means labor, equipment, supplies, materials, building space, utilities, and other overhead costs, used by an activity, program or service.
5. “Objective” means a defined method to accomplish an established goal, and, operationally, is something to be accomplished in specific, well-defined, and measurable terms and that is achievable within a specific timeframe.
6. “Outcome indicator” means an assessment of the results of a program or service compared to:
a. Its intended purpose; and
b. An adopted benchmark.
7. “Output measure” means the tabulation, calculation or recording of output from an activity and can be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative manner.
8. “Performance target” means a level of performance expressed as a tangible, measurable objective, against which actual achievement through performance indicators can be compared, including a target expressed as a quantitative or qualitative, standard, value or rate.
9. “Performance indicator” means one or more particular values or characteristics used to measure output(s).
10. “Program or service evaluation” means:
a. An assessment, through objective measurement and systematic analysis, of the manner and extent to which city programs and services achieve intended objectives; and
b. Recommendations for changes, improvements, termination, or a new or replacement program.
11. “Program and/or service” means an aggregate of activities of a similar, identical, or related nature, or which are performed for a common purpose.
12. “Outcome” means a descriptive statement of the resulting effect, condition or future state of the city, to be created by one or more city programs or services.
B. Definition of Plan Types.
1. “Performance plan” means an annual submission by a department to the finance director, which shall be consistent with the department’s multi-year strategic plan, and a performance plan shall not be submitted for a budget year not covered by the current strategic plan, and it shall:
a. Establish performance targets to define the level of performance to be achieved by each department program activity during the year;
b. Express performance targets in an objective, quantitative or qualitative, time-oriented, and measurable form;
c. Briefly describe the operational processes, skills, and technology, and the human, capital, information, or other resources required to meet performance targets;
d. Establish performance indicators to be used in measuring or assessing the relevant outputs, service levels and outcomes of each program or service activity;
e. Provide a basis for comparing actual program results with the established current year performance targets, and those established during the prior three years;
f. Describe the means to be used to verify and validate measured values; and
g. The drafting of performance plans shall be performed only by city employees.
2. “Strategic plan” means a departmental plan which covers a period of not less than five years, not including the year it is submitted, and shall be updated and revised every three years, arid which contains:
a. A comprehensive mission statement covering the major functions and operations of the department, and which is consistent with, and in alignment with, the city’s mission statement, city goals, objectives and outcomes;
b. Outcomes for the major functions and operations of the department as expressed in department goals and objectives;
c. A description of how the departmental goals, objectives, and outcomes are to be achieved, including a description of the operational processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, information, and other resources estimated to meet those goals, objectives, and outcomes;
d. A description of how the performance targets, included in the plan, are related to achieving city and department goals, objectives, and outcomes;
e. A description of program or service valuations and how they will be used in establishing or revising department goals, objectives, and outcomes, with a stated period or schedule for future program or service evaluations, and for updating the strategic plan; and
f. The drafting of strategic plans shall be performed only by city employees. (Ord. 2333 § 1, 2000; Ord. 2299 § 5, 2000)