High Performance Government Network

New management tools are a dime a dozen, and often just old strategies with fancy new names. But a few do make measurable differences.

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Paul Epstein calls it "the asphalt paradox." It occurred to him while working in New York City government doing process improvement in the early 1970s. The city was trying to capture and describe cost savings and revenue increases stemming from the citywide initiative to become leaner, meaner and more productive. The paradox? Becoming more efficient can cost a city more money.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
March 8, 2013

Regional Leaders Convene to Advance Permitting Standards

Original Article - Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Representatives from across Northeast Indiana, including mayors and county commissioners, planning and building leaders and members of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership's Regional Opportunities Council (ROC) participated in a half-day Northeast Indiana Permitting Excellence Workshop this week. The workshop was sponsored by Vision 2020, a regional initiative spearheaded by the Partnership, and focused on regional permitting standards. Participants identified immediate actions and long-term goals related to improving the permitting processes currently in place for their jurisdictions.

Original Source: winchesternewsgazette.com

Written By: BILL RICHMOND

Commissioners hear, table request until need is better defined

Representatives of the Union City Housing Authority Monday requested $15,000 in financial assistance from the Randolph County Board of Commissioners to keep the agency viable. The agency provides rent assistance for area residents.

The commissioners tabled the request until more information is available and the need is better defined.

Original Source: journalgazette.net

Written By: SHERRY SLATER

Even nonprofits make wish lists this time of year.

The Regional Opportunities Council last week established its 2013 priorities – all aimed at increasing northeast Indiana's per capital income level, which in 2009 was 79.5 percent of the national average. The council oversees Vision 2020, a regional initiative funded by foundation grants. The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership created Vision 2020 three years ago to address the earnings gap.

The Regional Opportunities Council's leaders have said they want to bring meaningful and powerful change to the 10-county region. The best chance of success, they've said, is by creating a long-term partnership of public, private and corporate groups to tackle identified issues.

Original Source: thestarpress.com

Written By: SETH SLABAUGH

Technically, the color is not historically accurate, but it does stand out

MUNCIE — Jonathan Spodek disclosed during a meeting on Thursday that the bright green color he chose for a 112-year-old house he is rehabilitating is not historically accurate.

Asked why he didn’t select a more period-appropriate color, the Ball State University associate professor of architecture said, “They’re sad. They’re mopey.”

Bill Morgan, the city’s historic preservation officer, defends the color selection.

“It’s probably a little brighter than what you were likely to see in that time frame, but I think it’s a nice color,” Morgan said. “I agree that a lot of Victorian color schemes are dark and depressing.”