Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: David Berry, County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA:
☒ Regular RCA
☐ Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Participation (if applicable): N/A
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of proposed Harris County Priority Outcomes, to be refined through the budget process including associated external engagement.
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Background and Discussion:
On September 15, 2020, Commissioners Court adopted the Harris County vision, goal areas, and associated goal statements as a first step in clarifying Harris County priorities, aligning County efforts toward common goals, and setting the stage for future performance management.
Since then, the Office of Management and Budget has worked with departments and Commissioners Court offices to develop an overall budget and performance management structure that provides clear visibility into County services, programs, and departments, with performance measures at each level, for use in the 2022 budgeting process. At the top of this structure sit our Priority Outcomes: the most significant outcomes to be delivered by the County as a whole. These outcomes are critical to share with Commissioners Court, with County staff, and with County residents to provide visibility into progress against our goals and enable corrective action if efforts are not on track. Moreover, in Outcome Budgeting, Priority Outcomes are used to connect financial decisions to improving the lives of Harris County residents in a measurable way.
On August 10, 2021, Commissioners Court approved the Office of County Administration transition plan, which included five key principles. The Priority Outcomes are grounded in the principle of “Clear success, clear accountability” and its corresponding early initiative:
Clear success, clear accountability: We will create accountability by defining success and equity through clear goals, strategic plans, and performance metrics.
Early initiative: Translate Commissioners Court’s goals into a set of proposed Priority Outcomes, which will form the basis of the upcoming budgeting process and Countywide performance management; work with Commissioners Court to develop a definition of equity.
The Priority Outcomes have been developed by taking into account the following inputs:
• Input from Commissioners Court staff, department and agency staff, and Office of Management and Budget team members
• Priority Outcomes for Health, Housing, and Jobs & Education investments developed via the American Rescue Plan Steering Committee, including extensive community engagement
• Best practices from other jurisdictions
Additional community input will be incorporated via the budget engagement process.
Priority Outcomes are accompanied by suggested Outcome Measures, which will be used to track overall success. The Office of County Administration will report Outcome Measures to Commissioners Court and post them publicly on the OCA website on a quarterly basis, beginning in early 2022.
As next steps, in addition to seeking external feedback, Office of County Administration and Office of Management and Budget team members will work with County departments to further refine the expected Outcome Measures, gathering baseline data and developing suggested targets. The Priority Outcomes will be used as an organizing principle for the upcoming budget process.
Expected Impact: Clear visibility for Harris County residents, employees, and elected officials into overall progress against County goals; improved performance as a result of clear focus and ability to take early corrective action for goals not being met.
Alternative Options: N/A
Alignment with Goal(s):
☒ Justice and Safety
☒ Economic Opportunity
☒ Housing
☒ Public Health
☒ Transportation
☒ Flooding
☒ Environment
☒ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any): Goal statements adopted September 15, 2020; OCA Transition Plan adopted August 10, 2021.
Location:
Address (if applicable list below):
☒ Countywide
☐ Precinct 1
☐ Precinct 2
☐ Precinct 3
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☐ Precinct 4Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Anticipated Implementation Date:
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note:
☒ Not an emergency, disaster recovery, or COVID-19 related item
☐ Emergency Item
☐ COVID-19 related Item
☐ Disaster Recovery related Item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Leah Barton, Managing Director, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): Priority Outcomes.pdf