Chester County Government has added a consecutive national recognition for performance management leadership to its list of accolades. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) last week bestowed a second Certificate of Achievement to the county, recognizing Chester County’s use of performance data in local government management, including training, verification and public reporting established through Chester County’s “Managing for Results” process.
Borne out of Chester County’s Strategic Plan, Managing for Results gives county departments and staff a formula in determining how their work, actions and behavior support the overall strategic direction of the county. Managing for Results also ensures accountability and transparency in Chester County government.
The ICMA Certificate of Achievement is awarded to cities and counties based on data that has been collected and verified, and that ensures reliability, trains staff in performance measurement, and that reports the data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and information to elected officials.
Chester County is among 16 jurisdictions to receive the Certificate of Achievement, and is one of just 60 recognized by ICMA overall across North America.
“Chester County’s Managing for Results program has practically steered the County, and measured staff performance as it relates to the County’s overall priorities and goals, and department-specific goals,” said Bobby Kagel, County Administrator. “We are pleased that ICMA has once again recognized the value of performance management plans such as ours.
“We recognize Stephanie Phillips, Chester County’s Management Data Project Manager, for her commitment to our Strategic Plan and the Managing for Results data collection and reporting.”
Speaking on behalf of the ICMA, Executive Director Marc A. Ott said, “Performance Management is a bedrock principle of professional local government management. As COVID-19’s impact on our communities lingers on, we hope that by recognizing leaders such as Chester County, we are encouraging others to measure how well their organization is performing, and making a commitment to collect and analyze data, report on it transparently, and use it to continuously engage communities and improve their organizations during these unprecedented times.”
