High Performance Government Network

Original Source: thestarpress.com

Written By: SETH SLABAUGH

One city alone has sent nine department heads to the training.

MUNCIE -- Two years ago, Indiana became one of the last states in the country to establish a Certified Public Manager program to train local government officials to become more effective and professional.

In February, the first five officials will complete the two-year program.

One of them, Joanie Fitzwater, director of planning and zoning for the city of Greenfield, calls the training "the perfect opportunity for me to find good tools to use to be a good manager."

While she earned a bachelor's degree in land use planning and worked as a city planner many years ago, she had spent 16 years working for a land developer before returning to city government.

"I knew I could do the job, but I did not really have a good framework for management methods," she said.

Muncie, Indiana, May 6, 2011 - Mayor Sharon McShurley today announced that the City of Muncie has completed Phase II of the High Performance Government Project, an ongoing initiative to improve operations of Muncie City government.

“City leaders and employees have worked hard to streamline our efforts and focus on the services that citizen’s value most,” said Mayor McShurley.  “While we have successfully completed another phase of this project, there is much work that remains.  Our city employees are dedicated to continuing the transformation of City government into a data-driven, results-producing organization.”

The High Performance Government Project was designed and delivered by the High Performance Government Network, a non-profit organization based in Fort Wayne.  Phase II focused on providing key city employees with additional skills and tools to build internal capacity in order to help the City achieve long term success.  The focus of all work in Phase II was directed by the strategic performance plan developed by City leaders in Phase I.

City leaders were provided learning opportunities on topics that included:

• Department strategic planning;
• Communicating performance expectations;
• Providing performance feedback;
• Root cause analysis of performance problems;
• Improving employee performance;
• Corrective performance discipline;
• Fostering open & honest communication; and
• Establishing a motivating work environment.

“Mayor McShurley and city leaders have seized this opportunity, and the results will be enjoyed by citizens,” said Ryan Chasey, President of the HPG Network.  “The foundation for high performance that has been built will provide a strong base for continued improvement efforts.”

Both Phase I and Phase II of the High Performance Government Project were funded through a grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation. 

“I extend many thanks to the Ball Brothers Foundation for funding this project,” said Mayor McShurley.  “Their resources and ongoing support helped to make this effort successful.”

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Original Source: thestarpress.com

A $50,000-a-year consultant will help nonprofit, affordable housing rehab groups become successful.

MUNCIE -- Three non-profit organizations are competing for a $100,000 contract with the city to rehabilitate affordable housing.

Community development housing organizations (CHDOs) are vitally important in attacking the concentrations of poverty in urban cores that cause deterioration and disinvestment.

The city is considering proposals from three groups vying for a $100,000 award from the city through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnership Program.

New solutions and technology will help the City streamline operations and do more with less

Troy, Mich. (February 8, 2011) — The City of Muncie, Ind. has selected new software and technology to improve efficiency as part of a strategic plan to become a high performance government. The City has signed a contract to license New World's integrated Logos.NET Public Administration suite of applications to replace an older system and make information more accessible to employees and citizens.

Original Source: wane.com

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Homeland Security department in Allen County hosted a conference on Wednesday to provide government and business leaders the tools they can use to maintain operations during a disaster.

“The bottom line for today is bringing business and government together to address the same common challenges that we might have in a disaster,” said Bernie Beier, Director of Homeland Security for Fort Wayne and Allen County.