Legislating For Results

The National League of Cities, working in collaboration with The Urban Institute, has developed educational materials and tools to help local elected officials obtain and use information about the results and outcomes of government services in helping their citizens.  Most of the attention of “good governance” has in the past been placed on the executive/administrative part of government. Local elected officials are the major link to citizens on one hand and to executive/administrative officials on the other.  Under the guidance of a national advisory committee of local officials, the NLC-Urban Institute team has developed the following series of “Municipal Action Guides” on ways to help local elected officials.

Click Here for an Overview of the Legislating for Results Series

Introduction and Definitions
This introduction offers a glossary of familiar terms as well as an overview of the sources and the advisory committee.

Getting Information on the Right Things
This Guide outlines ways that a council can get useful and understandable information on the results of local government services.

Getting Good Quality Information
This Guide suggests actions to help assure that information you receive is presented in an understandable, accurate, and useful manner.

Using Outcome Information in Strategic and Program Planning
This Guide provides suggestions for strengthening long range planning by assuring that the plans focus on the results your community needs.

The Operating Budget
This Brief focuses on developing a budget while taking into account results, rather than just operating costs.

The Capital Budget
This Guide offers suggestions on decision making process that take into account facts about the past, immediate problems, and accurate projections.

Reviewing Results and Costs of Services and Policies Throughout the Year
This Guide recommends actions that elected officials can take to help press for departmental agencies to improve their services to the public.

Motivating Personnel to Continually Improve Service Outcomes
This Brief proposes different factors that elected officials can use to motivate their employees to improve services.

Motivating Contractors and Grantees to High Levels of Performance
This Brief focuses on the role of council members and the actions they can take to ensure to good, achievable and measurable results.

Communicating with the Citizens and the Media
This Guide suggests ways to develop a two-way dialogue whereby the public and the media are engaged and informed throughout the governing process.

Building Elected Official and Staff Capacity
This Guide provides recommendations for actions local councils might take to become familiar with results based government.